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Towards a Fundamental Understanding of the Mechanics of Crystal Agglomeration: A Microscopic and Molecular Approach
Author(s) -
Simons Stefaan J. R.,
Pratola Federica,
Jones Alan G.,
Brunsteiner Michael,
Price Sally L.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
particle and particle systems characterization
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.877
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1521-4117
pISSN - 0934-0866
DOI - 10.1002/ppsc.200400932
Subject(s) - agglomerate , supersaturation , crystal (programming language) , adhesion , economies of agglomeration , chemical physics , materials science , crystallography , contact mechanics , atomic force microscopy , nanotechnology , mechanics , chemistry , composite material , chemical engineering , thermodynamics , physics , computer science , organic chemistry , engineering , programming language , finite element method
A novel experimental apparatus has been developed which enables the measurement of adhesion forces between two crystals suspended in a supersaturated solution and allowed to agglomerate over a fixed time period. The geometry of the crystal surfaces at the contact points and the dynamic development of the bond are captured on video and characterised using an image analysis technique. The experimental apparatus has been designed to allow control of supersaturation, orientation of crystal faces, distance between crystals, relative movement of crystals and contact time. The experimental results show that the agglomerate bond strength, expressed as the agglomerate adhesion force per unit contact area, increases with increasing supersaturation and is higher for faster growing faces than for slower growing faces. In addition, a qualitative comparison has been made between the measured force and a theoretical estimation of the interaction force between crystal faces, determined through molecular modelling. It is shown that the speed of approach of two opposing crystal faces is a key parameter in the nature of the subsequent bond, as is their atomic structure.