Crystal growth and selective etching studies on sodium chlorate crystals

Abstract

Crystals of sodium chlorate (NaClO3) were grown from aqueous solution using three kinds of seeding techniques. Crystals grown by the TSSG method are relatively free from gross defects. A mixture of acetic acid and formic acid (8 : 1 by volume) has selective etching action on the (100) surface. Formic acid has selective etching action on the (110) and (111) faces. The etch figures on the (100), (110) and (111) surfaces are consistent with the symmetry of the crystal. Etching action on (111) and (111) surfaces is different. Acetic acid containing a few drops of amyl acetate does produce etch pits on the (100) face but these do not seem to be at dislocation sites.