THE USE OF RAPID DYNAMIC LIGHT SCATTERING TO INVESTIGATE THE KINETICS OF GIBBSITE CRYSTAL GROWTH

摘要

The technique of dynamic light scattering (DLS) is based on the variation with time of the intensity of light scattered from particles in suspension. Information on the numbers and diameters of these particles may be obtained by monitoring the intensity of the scattered light and short term fluctuation in it, respectively. This work demonstrates the use of rapid DLS for the study of gibbsite crystal growth during the induction time before the onset of secondary nucleation. The slow growth rate of gibbsite during its induction time has been measured as a function of relative supersaturation, and the mechanism of growth during this time is believed to follow the polynuclear birth and spread model. The edge free energy calculated for this process is 6.1 ± 1.3 kJ/mole.