Study of phosphoric acid crystallization using a focused beam reflectance measurement method

A way for restoring the crystal size distributions (CSD) from measured chord length distributions (CLD) was reported in this paper. The kinetics of phosphoric acid crystallization process was investigated in cooling mode using focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) and digital photo technique. In order to restore the CSD from measured CLD and verify the reliability of FBRM data, digital photo technique in real time and optical microscope were applied in large crystal size and small range, respectively. Results indicated a converting constant A existed between CLD and CSD when crystal growth follows size‐independent growth (Mcabe's ΔL law) law. It was verified by Malvern particles size analysis method. The converting constant A varied with crystal morphology. The crystal growth order increased with the stirring increasing speed during phosphoric acid crystallization process. The trend was especially notable at higher speed situations. It can illustrate that the state of phosphoric acid hemihydrate crystal growth was controlled by both diffusion and surface‐integration with the increasing stirring speed. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Influence of stirring speed on the crystallization of calcium carbonate

Control over crystal morphology of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) was investigated by simply changing the stirring speeds in the process of CaCO₃ formation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements explore the morphology evolution of CaCO₃ at varying stirring speeds. As the stirring speeds increase, rhombohedral calcite, spherical vaterite, and monoclinic crystal with coexistence of calcite phase and vaterite phase were formed, suggesting a facile control over calcium carbonate crystallization in constructing crystals with desired morphology. Moreover, almost pure vaterite spherical particles of narrow particle size distribution were formed at optimum stirring speed. Finally, also elucidated in this work is the mechanism investigation into the construction of various crystal forms via this simple route. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Effect of mixing on the crystal size distribution of borax decahydrate in a batch cooling crystallizer

The effect of the impeller speed upon the metastable zone width, supersaturation level, crystal growth and the crystal size distribution of borax decahydrate have been investigated to find operating conditions of a batch cooling crystallizer. The importance of impeller speed was studied in baffled stirred crystallizer with a volume of about 2 dm³, equipped with four straight blade turbine (4-SBT) cooling at a constant cooling rate. The metastable zone width was determined by visual method, while concentration changes during the process were monitored in line using ion-selective electrode. The crystal size distribution was determined by optical microscope and sieve analysis respectively. The power consumption measurements were performed for all impeller speeds examined as well. On the basis of the experimental results and observations it is evident that in an agitated batch crystallizer the above mentioned parameters are significantly influenced by hydrodynamic regime in the system determined by impeller used and its revolution speed.     

白云石制备似立方体状方解石型碳酸钙晶体及其机理研究

以轻烧白云石粉、氯化铵和二氧化碳为原料,在未使用晶型控制剂的情况下,通过蒸氨-沉钙过程制备出了似立方体状碳酸钙。研究了反应温度、溶液中钙离子浓度、通气速率、搅拌速度以及陈化时间对碳酸钙中方解石相含量以及晶体形貌的影响,并探索了沉钙反应的晶型控制机理。结果表明,在反应温度40 ℃、钙离子浓度0.05 mol/L、通碳速率100 mL/min、搅拌速度400 r/min和陈化时间2 h的条件下,制备出形貌规整、粒径分布均匀的似立方体状碳酸钙,平均粒径为5~10 μm。该研究为提升白云石的使用价值、生产高附加价值的碳酸钙产品,以及提高白云石资源的利用率提供理论基础。     

工艺参数对高功率MPCVD金刚石膜择优取向的影响研究

使用自行研制的椭球谐振腔式MPCVD装置,以H2-CH4为气源、沉积功率8 kW条件下,在不同CH4浓度、沉积温度和气体流量工艺条件下制备了大面积金刚石膜.使用X射线衍射仪对金刚石膜的择优取向的变化规律进行了研究.实验结果表明,高功率条件下工艺参数对金刚石膜的择优取向有不同程度的影响.在CH4浓度由0.5;上升到1.0;时,金刚石膜的择优取向由(220)转变为(111),由1.O;上升到2.5;时,则由(111)转变为(220)以及(311);在700 ～ 1050℃温度范围内,随着沉积温度的升高,金刚石膜(111)择优取向生长的倾向增高,当沉积温度高于1050℃时,金刚石膜改变了原先的以(111)择优取向生长的趋势,变为了以(100)择优取向生长;在气体流速为200～1000 sccm范围内时,随气体流量的增加,金刚石膜(111)择优取向的倾向增加.当气体流量大于1000sccm时,金刚石膜(111)择优取向的倾向又稍有降低.     

On‐line monitoring of lithium carbonate dissolution

Dissolution of lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) in aqueous solution was investigated using three on‐line apparatuses: the concentration of Li₂CO₃ was measured by electrical conductivity equipment; CLD (Chord Length Distribution) was monitored by FBRM (Focused Beam Reflectance Measurement); crystal image was observed by PVM (Particle Video Microscope). Results show dissolution rate goes up with a decrease of particle size, and with an increase in temperature; stirring speed causes little impact on dissolution; ultrasound facilitates dissolution obviously. The CLD evolution and crystal images of Li₂CO₃ powders in stirred fluid were observed detailedly by FBRM and PVM during dissolution. Experimental data were fitted to Avrami model, through which the activation energy was found to be 34.35 kJ/mol. PBE (Population Balance Equation) and moment transform were introduced to calculate dissolution kinetics, obtaining correlation equations of particle size decreasing rate as a function of temperature and undersaturation. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

超声波对甲硝唑溶液结晶热力学性质的影响

本文采用降温结晶的方法,在搅拌和超声波作用下,分别测量了甲硝唑溶液结晶成核的介稳区和诱导期.通过分析超声波对甲硝唑溶液结晶的介稳区、诱导期产生的影响,从扩散系数、温度及能量角度分析了超声波促进晶体成核作用的机理.通过比较搅拌和超声波下得到的产品,从理论上对影响晶体粒度及结晶产率的因素进行了分析.     

Protein crystallization in low gravity by step gradient diffusion method.

Two-step crystallization experiments were conducted in low gravity employing a liquid-liquid diffusion method in an effort to eliminate problems associated with protein crystal growth under the supersaturating conditions required for nucleation. Experiments were performed in diffusion cells formed by the sliding of blocks on orbit. Step gradient diffusion experiments consisted of first exposing protein solutions in diffusion half-wells for brief periods to initiating buffer solutions of high precipitant concentrations to induce nucleation followed by expoure of the same protein solutions to solutions of lower precepitant concentration to promote growth of induced nuclei into crystals. To avoid convective disturbances that occur when solutions of discrepant densities are interfaced at normal gravity, crystallization of hen egg-white lysozyme and rabbit skeletal muscle aldolase by step gradient diffusion was investigated in low gravity on four NASA space shuttle flights. In general, the largest ctystals of both proteins formed at the highest initiating precipitant concentration used, which is consistent with nuclei formation upon brief exposure to high precipitant concentration, and that these nuclei are competent for sustained growth at lower precipitant concentration. The two-step approach dissociates nucleation events from crystal growth allowing parameters affecting nucleation kinetics such as time, precipitant concentration and temperature of nucleation to be varied separately from conditions used for post-nucleation growth.     

Growth and characterization of 2,6‐dibenzylidenecyclohexanone single crystal

Following the temperature reduction method, growth of single crystals of organic 2,6‐dibenzylidenecyclohexanone (DBCH) material from ethanol solution is reported in the present work. Solubility and metastable zone width measurements were carried out under stirring and nonstirring conditions of solution. Cell dimensions were obtained from single crystal X‐ray diffraction study. From FT‐IR spectral analysis, various functional groups of this crystal were identified. UV‐Visible spectral analysis was made. Mechanical strength of the grown crystal was estimated on the prominent (110) face using a Vickers microhardness tester. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

人造金刚石单晶薄膜的制备及表面形貌优化

人造金刚石作为一种高效的热管理衬底,在宽禁带半导体电子器件领域具有广泛的应用前景。然而微波等离子体化学气相沉积(MPCVD)法外延金刚石单晶的生长速率慢,表面粗糙度高,难以满足半导体器件的衬底需求。对此,本文采用MPCVD法制备金刚石单晶薄膜,通过分阶段生长监控样品的生长速率,结合显微镜照片和AFM表征样品的表面形貌和表面粗糙度,根据拉曼光谱和XRD分析外延薄膜的晶体质量,最终采用高/低甲烷浓度的两步法外延工艺,实现了金刚石单晶薄膜的高速外延,生长速率达到20 μm/h,同时获得了较为平整的表面形貌。本文所研究的甲烷调制两步法外延工艺能够起到表面形貌优化的作用,有利于在后续的相关器件研发中提供平整的金刚石衬底,推动高功率电子器件的发展。     

Influences of ethanol on the thermodynamics and kinetics in the crystallization of xylitol

The metastable zone and crystal growth rates of xylitol in water were investigated under the influence of small volume fractions of ethanol. The utilization of low amounts of ethanol is necessary to help adding slightly soluble ingredients during the fabrication of xylitol products, e.g. in food industry. Therefore, the metastable zone and crystal growth rates were determined by means of an ultrasound measurement technique and batch crystallization experiments. It can clearly be seen that the addition of ethanol is lowering the solubility of xylitol in water. The higher the volume fraction of ethanol, the lower the solubility. The metastable zone width is increased whereas the smallest investigated ethanol content results in the widest metastable zone. The crystal growth of xylitol is inhibited by the addition of ethanol whereby the crystal growth rates are decreasing with increasing ethanol content.     

Diffusion of ethanol–carbon dioxide in silica gel

Extraction of a primary solvent with liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide is the most difficult to control stage in low-temperature silica aerogel production. Diffusion of primary ethanol through alcogel structure to surrounding CO₂ was investigated in carefully controlled experiments with cylindrical alcogel samples. Changes of the alcohol concentration in carbon dioxide leaving the autoclave were followed with on-line chromatograph analysis and experiments were repeated for temperatures around the critical point of carbon dioxide. On the basis of the concentration histories during the drying, the temperature dependence of diffusion coefficient in the ethanol–CO₂ mixture inside the silica gel at constant pressure was identified.     

方解石制备碳酸钙晶须的影响因素及机理

以方解石矿石为原料,利用制备的重镁水(Mg(HCO₃)₂)及中间产物氯化钙制备文石型碳酸钙晶须,并采用SEM、XRD及EDS对产品进行表征。探究了重镁水与氯化钙反应过程中反应温度、反应时间、镁钙浓度比、重镁水浓度以及搅拌速度对碳酸钙晶须形貌的影响。通过单因素实验得出了最佳工艺条件:温度40 ℃、反应时间2 h、镁钙浓度比6∶1、重镁水浓度0.14 mol/L、搅拌速度150 r/min。在此条件下,制得了长度为40~65 μm、直径为0.6~1.5 μm、长径比为25~45的文石型碳酸钙晶须。     

旋转磁场对空间浮区内流场及浓度场的影响

采用全浮区模型数值研究了旋转磁场作用下熔区内热毛细对流流动特性,分析了磁场强度对流场及浓度场的影响.研究发现,无磁场时,熔体内杂质浓度场和流场呈现三涡胞对称振荡特征;温度场主要由扩散作用决定,呈对称分布.旋转磁场作用下,Ma数基本保持不变.当磁场强度B0≤1 mT时,熔体内杂质浓度场和流场与无磁场时结构类似,但旋转磁场的搅拌作用使得熔体内周期性振荡提前出现,且当旋转磁场产生的洛伦兹力相对较大时,表面张力产生的三维振荡对流得到很好地抑制.B0=5 mT时,周向波动被完全抑制,熔区内流场和浓度场呈二维轴对称分布.旋转磁场对熔体流动产生的轴向抑制作用和周向搅拌作用,都有助于熔体流动的稳定性、浓度分布以及温度分布的均匀性,从而有利于高质量晶体的生长.     

Some considerations to optimize the synthesis procedure and the structural quality of mesostructured silicas

Two methods for the preparation of highly ordered MCM-41 silica are discussed. The quality of the structure was optimized by adequate stirring of the reaction mixture containing low concentration of surfactant, followed by heating at 70 °C for 3 h under stirring. Besides this energetically favorable procedure allowed to obtain structures very stable upon calcination. The role of the ethanol and the hydroxide source in the synthesis process is also analyzed.     

Observation of optical inhomogeneities in flux grown KTP crystals

Optical inhomogeneities in potassium titanyl phosphate crystals grown from different fluxes have been investigated. In the crystals grown from a flux which contains tungsten, striations parallel to the {011} faces were observed. The main reason for forming striations is the change in tungsten concentration with change in growth rate. In the case of a potassium phosphate flux, no striations were observed in the crystal which was grown at almost the same temperature and stirring conditions as for the tungstate flux. We can conclude that the phosphate flux is more suitable for the growth of optically good crystals for KTP as laser harmonic converters.     

Investigation of Thermoelectric Power of Ga2Se3 Monocrystals

Single crystals of Ga₂Se₃ were prepared by a technique based on the Bridgman method. Thermoelectric power was investigated in the temperature range 160–525 K. From this investigation many physical parameters such as effective masses of charge carriers, carrier mobilities, diffusion length, diffusion coefficient, and the relaxation time for both majority and minority carriers were estimated. In conjunction with the electrical conductivity and the charge carrier concentration, the thermoelectric power is discussed.     

Melt stirring effect of a weak magnetic field on crystal growth

Melt stirring effect of a weak magnetic field for the natural convection of liquid metal in an electrically adiabatic cubic enclosure heated from one vertical wall and cooled from an opposing wall was studied by a fully transient three-dimensional numerical analyses and the reasoning for melt stirring effect was clarified from the numerical results. Similar techniques were applied for the melt convection in a cylindrical Czochralski crystal growing crucible with an application of a vertical magnetic field. In a static crucible, central fluid column rotated in a magnetic field and in a rotating crucible, central fluid column did not rotate in a magnetic field. These peculiar characteristics could have been explained due to the Lorentz force.     

CFD modelling of single crystal growth of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) from binary water solution at 30 °C

Crystal growth rate depends on both diffusion and surface reaction. In industrial crystallizers, there exist conditions for diffusion-controlled growth and surface reaction-controlled growth. Using mathematical modelling and experimental information obtained from growth studies of single crystals, it is possible to separate these phenomena and study how they are affected by concentration, slip velocities of particles, temperature and finally estimate the parameters for crystal growth models.In this study, a power-law growth model using activity-based driving force is created. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to evaluate the thickness of a diffusion layer around the crystal. Parameters of the crystal growth model were estimated using a non-linear optimization package KINFIT. Experimental data on growth rate of the (1 0 1) face of a potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) single crystal and simulated data on the thickness of a diffusion layer at the same crystal face were used in parameter estimation. The new surface reaction model was implemented into the CFD code. The model was used to study the effect of flow direction on growth rate of the whole crystal with various slip velocities and solute concentrations.The developed method itself is valid in general but the parameters of crystal growth model are dependent on the system. In this study, the model parameters were estimated and verified for KDP crystal growth from binary water solution.     

Eu3+扩散钨酸铅晶体(PbWO4)光学性能研究

利用离子扩散法对下降法生长PbWO4晶体进行Eu3+扩散,通过透射光谱、荧光光谱、光产额和衰减时间的测试,研究了Eu3+扩散对PbWO4晶体的光学性能的影响.结果表明:Eu3+扩散PbWO4晶体可明显改善在350 nm波段的透过率,荧光光谱主峰为430 nm,且发光强度得到增强,在1000 ns的积分时间门宽内光产额为46 pe/MeV,衰减时间为6.5 ns.