Application of electric field for the growth of big crystals by diffusion method

Ion-Induced Nucleationin Solution: Promotion of Solute Nucleation in Charged Levitated Droplets

“…The effect of an external electric field on nucleation kinetics and crystal growth in saturated solutions was first investigated by both Shubnikov and Kozlovskii, who determined that nucleation rates of ammonium chloride and ammonium bromide increased in the presence of an external electric field. − Recently, electric field strengths of greater than 10 5 V·m -1 were also shown to have significant controlling effects on PbCO 3 and NaCl nucleation. − Although several reports confirm that externally applied electric fields have a stimulating effect on the nucleation rate of small molecule crystals in saturated solutions, , a significant decrease in the number of nuclei was observed when an external electric field was used for the crystallization of the protein lysozyme. , As such, the lysozyme crystals obtained were fewer in number, larger in size, and of better crystallographic quality as quantified by a reduction in their mosaic spread upon X-ray diffraction; − a most important goal for crystallogenesis studies on biological macromolecules. , This contrasting result certainly suggests that more research is necessary to better understand the mechanism of nucleation and crystal growth in the presence of electric fields. Unfortunately, there are only a few theoretical considerations concerning this problem; ,,− most of them related to processes that occur in Wilson cloud chambers.…”

“…[18][19][20] Recently, electric field strengths of greater than 10 5 V‚m -1 were also shown to have significant controlling effects on PbCO 3 and NaCl nucleation. [21][22][23] Although several reports confirm that externally applied electric fields have a stimulating effect on the nucleation rate of small molecule crystals in saturated solutions, 23,24 a significant decrease in the number of nuclei was observed when an external electric field was used for the crystallization of the protein lysozyme. 25,26 As such, the lysozyme crystals obtained were fewer in number, larger in size, and of better crystallographic quality as quantified by a reduction in their mosaic spread upon X-ray diffraction; [25][26][27][28] a most important goal for crystallogenesis studies on biological macromolecules.…”

Thermodynamics of Crystal Nucleation in an External Electric Field

“…The use of 'carona' discharge for the mass production of crystal nuclei is also discussed in these papers. The work reported by Pillai et al shows that electric fields of strength 10 5 V/m has a significant effect in controlling the nucleation of PbCO 3 crystals in hydrosilica gel [20]. Later He and Hopke discovered the increase in vapor-liquid nucleation by externally applied electric fields [21].…”