It is increasingly recognized that many non-classical crystallization processes involve aggregation of sub-micron sized particles. The growth of thin (~0.5 µm) CaCO<sub>3</sub> films from solutions containing polyelectrolytes has been known since the end of the last century, but early proposals for the mechanism of this growth did not focus on particle aggregation. Variations on, and refinements to, the crystallization system have revealed details that were not previously analyzed, and which suggest that mechanisms for the production of these films must take particle aggregation into account. We have determined the conditions necessary to maximize the yield of angular films that appear monocrystalline by polarized light microscopy. Geometrical analysis of these films, combined with scanning electron micrographs of these films, suggest a hypothesis for morphogenesis which require both kinetic and thermodynamic consideration in modeling and analysis.

Formation of semifaceted, oriented thin calcite films by aggregation of nanoparticles

251st National Meeting (2016)

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