Theoretical aspects of Ostwald ripening in systems with high solubility and high solid volume fraction

Abstract

Many models have been developed to describe Ostwald ripening. The most recent of them have dealt with systems of high solid volume fraction (φ > 0.01). To obtain an exploitable solution, all these models require several simplifications: assumption of low solubility, assumption of motionless fluid phase, no consideration of the spatial arrangement of the grains, analytical or numerical approximation methods. In this paper an unidimensional linear model (row of grains) of Ostwald ripening is proposed which can be applied to the most general and difficult situation, i.e. systems with high volume fraction in highly soluble grains. This model does not require any simplifying assumption. Its validity can be proved from already published theoretical results. Within this model, the spatial arrangement of the grains and the associated connectivity effects which have not been studied so far, can be taken into account. These effects become particularly important at high volume fraction.