Abstract
Decomposition reactions of many solids proceed by nucleation and growth processes1, so that the kinetic expressions used2 and the interpretation of rate data3 are based on quantitative consideration of the progressive changes in geometry of advancing reactant/product interfaces. Conclusions from such kinetic analyses are often confirmed by optical microscopic observations. We describe here a method whereby information may be obtained, in favourable systems, about the three-dimensional shapes of nuclei and the disposition of product particles in the wake of interface advance. For the reaction described below, the dehydration of KCr(SO4)2 ˙ 12H2O, it is concluded that product shrinkage results in crack development through which water is evolved and crystallographic factors exert little control on the directions of interface advance during growth of the approximately hemispherical nuclei.
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Galwey, A., Reed, R. & Guarini, G. Observations on internal structures of chrome alum dehydration nuclei. Nature 283, 52–54 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1038/283052a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/283052a0
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