Mean Lifetime of an Embryo in the Homogeneous Nucleation from Solution of the Tetracyanoplatinates(II) of Barium, Calcium, and Magnesium

Abstract

The mean lifetime of an embryo in the homogeneous nucleation from aqueous solution of the tetracyanoplatinates(II) of barium, calcium, and magnesium has been studied using the droplet technique. Supersaturation in the droplets was generated by selective extraction of the solvent into the surrounding silicone oil. Crystallization in the droplets was followed by photomicrography using plane polarized light.The data were analyzed using both the classical model and the mean lifetime model of Carlier and Frisch. The experimental results are consistent with the predicted relationship between the logarithm of the nucleation rate or the logarithm of the mean lifetime of an embryo and the inverse of the square of the logarithm of the supersaturation ratio at high supersaturation ratios. The calculated values of the inter-facial energy, using both models, are in close enough agreement to justify the assumptions made in the analysis.