Volume 128, Issue 37 pp. 11252-11256
Zuschrift

A Microkinetic Model of Calcite Step Growth

Prof. Dr. M. P. Andersson

Corresponding Author

Prof. Dr. M. P. Andersson

Nano-Science Center, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

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Dr. S. Dobberschütz

Dr. S. Dobberschütz

Nano-Science Center, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

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Dr. K. K. Sand

Dr. K. K. Sand

Nano-Science Center, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Physical Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352 USA

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Dr. D. J. Tobler

Dr. D. J. Tobler

Nano-Science Center, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

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Prof. Dr. J. J. De Yoreo

Prof. Dr. J. J. De Yoreo

Physical Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352 USA

Departments of Materials Science and Engineering and of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195 USA

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Prof. Dr. S. L. S. Stipp

Prof. Dr. S. L. S. Stipp

Nano-Science Center, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

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First published: 18 August 2016
Citations: 20

Abstract

In spite of decades of research, mineral growth models based on ion attachment and detachment rates fail to predict behavior beyond a narrow range of conditions. Here we present a microkinetic model that accurately reproduces calcite growth over a very wide range of published experimental data for solution composition, saturation index, pH and impurities. We demonstrate that polynuclear complexes play a central role in mineral growth at high supersaturation and that a classical complexation model is sufficient to reproduce measured rates. Dehydration of the attaching species, not the mineral surface, is rate limiting. Density functional theory supports our conclusions. The model provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of mineral growth that control biomineralization, mineral scaling and industrial material synthesis.

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