Abstract

A theory of two-step nucleation and evolution of crystals with allowance for their diffusion in the space of particle radii is developed. The theory is based on a two-step growth law of crystals appearing in dense liquid precursors, initially evolving within them with a diffusion-limited growth law, and then leaving them and evolving with another growth law. This two-step crystal growth law influences the integrodifferential system of kinetic and balance equations for the crystal-size distribution function and liquid supersaturation. The system of integrodifferential equations for the evolution of polydisperse ensemble of crystals is solved using the integral Laplace transform and saddle-point methods for the Weber–Volmer–Frenkel–Zel’dovich and Meirs kinetic mechanisms. A complete analytical solution to this non-linear system has been constructed in a parametric form. Namely, the particle-size distribution function, liquid supersaturation and time have been found as the functions of decision variable — the maximum size of crystals. The theory is in agreement with the experimental data on the growth of beta-lactoglobulin and insulin crystals.

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