In recent years, non-classical crystallization mechanisms have been proposed for calcium carbonate formation. Experiments have shown the existence of stable pre-nucleation clusters and an amorphous to crystalline transition that is not encompassed in the classical crystallization mechanism(1). This has been supported by computational studies showing chain-like stable inorganic polymers being formed (2). It still remains to be seen, however, how general non-classical crystallization is.Infrared spectroscopy is a technique able to monitor crystallization in-situ by the use of appropriate accessories and, depending on the system, can sometimes also give crystallinity information. The determining factor is whether symmetry changes or peaks shift as solids transform from disordered to ordered states.Using the knowledge of carbonate and sulfate infrared band shape and peak positions in solution and in the solid state, an infrared spectroscopic method to monitor crystallization in-situ is discussed in detail for the case of calcium carbonate crystallization, pure barium sulfate crystallization and barium sulfate crystallization in the presence of an inhibitor.(1) D. Gebauer, H. C�lfen (2011), �Prenucleation clusters and non-classical nucleation� Nano Today, 6 , 564-584.(2) R. Demichelis, P. Raiteri, J. D. Gale, D. Quigley, D. Gebauer (2011), �Stable prenucleation mineral clusters are liquid like ionic polymers� Nature Communications, 2 (590)  , 1-8.

Investigating the amorphous to crystalline transition during aqueous crystallization using infrared spectroscopy

248th National Meeting (2014)

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