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Polymineral and mixed crystal formation from solution: an experimental and theoretical study of the origin of natural and synthetic crystals

Objectif

The main aim of this project is to set up the foundations of understanding crystallisation from complex aqueous solutions and to apply these results to crystallisation phenomena in natural minerals and industrial processes.

The crystal growth phenomena of interest are
(i) the growth of mineral solid solutions (mixed crystals) from aqueous solution,
(ii) the formation of polymineral aggregates where the co-crystallisation of mineral pairs introduces coupling between growth and dissolution rates and
(iii) the role of the adsorption of organic molecules on the thermodynamics and kinetics of crystal growth and dissolution.

Model ternary and binary systems will be used to trace the complete sequence of concepts needed to understand these phenomena. First the phase equilibria will be determined both in pure systems and in the presence of organic additives. By investigating the role of supersaturation, metastable phenomena will be identified and the effects on the compositions and morphologies of the resultant crystallisation determined. Throughout the project the relationships between crystal structure, growth morphology and growth kinetics will be a primary theme.

The crystallisation of solid solutions (mixed crystals) from aqueous solution is of fundamental interest because of the widespread occurrence in nature of minerals with variable composition and the use of such variability in reconstructing mineral and rock origin. However, both the thermodynamics and kinetics of mixed crystal growth is poorly understood and hence the interpretation of phenomena such as compositional sector and oscillatory zoning is at best qualitative. This project will build on the previous work of a number of teams and will focus on clarifying equilibrium and non-equilibrium growth mechanisms in selected systems.

Polymineral formation will be studied from the point of view of epitaxy and textural development and the kinetic instabilities induced by coupled growth and dissolution mechanisms. This leads into the general problem of mineral replacement reactions, commonplace in nature, yet virtually completely non-understood. The basis for all metasomatic and metamorphic reactions in minerals as a result of changing physical and chemical conditions is the dissolution of a parent mineral and the precipitation of a different composition or mineral phase. However, the coupling between dissolution and precipitation has only recently been identified. The study of such autocatalytic reactions, already in progress by some of the team members, will be a priority.

Crystal growth processes will be monitored in situ and crystals characterised after growth by a number of different methods. In situ crystal growth in a fluid cell of an Atomic Force Microscope will be studied in Münster and Utrecht, while laser interferometric methods will be used in Moscow and Syktyvkar. X-ray topography will be carried out in Bonn and Moscow, electron microscopy and microanalysis in Münster, spectroscopic analysis of solutions in Kazan. Each of the teams has expertise in different types of crystal growth experiments. The St. Petersburg team will be the centre of these activities. However, the rationale behind this joint project goes much deeper than collaboration based on equipment or a techniques pool. It is well known that there is a very long scientific tradition in Russia in the theory and experimental techniques of crystal growth. Many of the concepts and ideas have evolved independently and have largely not been assimilated by Western scientists. This has been apparent during the discussions associated with the preparation of this proposal and we anticipate that the opportunities available in this joint project will open new avenues for closer collaboration.

The goal of this project is in understanding the phenomena associated with crystal growth. The applications are very wide-ranging, from the textural characteristics of metasomatism in nature, to the damage caused by salt crystallisation in historical artifacts (e.g. frescoes), to the control of scale formation in off-shore oil-wells (where the mixing of pumped sea-water and formation water results in (Ba,Sr,Ra)SO4 precipitation) and the retardation of cement setting by additives. This variety of phenomena, all underpinned by the common theme of crystallisation in complex systems, emphasises the interdisciplinary nature of this project. Each of the teams has a specific interest in these and other related questions. We anticipate that the insights gained from our experiments and theoretical treatments of crystallisation will have direct application to these problems and identify new areas of research.

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Coordinateur

Universität Münster
Contribution de l’UE
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Adresse
Corrensstrasse 24
48149 Münster
Allemagne

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