Non-reversibility of crystal growth and Dissolution: Nanoscale direct observations and kinetics of transition through the saturation point

Abstract

Atomic force microscopy experiments with modelling nature-like factors affecting crystal-genetic processes registered phenomena accompanying continuous transition from dissolution to growth (through the saturation point) on one and the same defect in a molecular hydroxymethylquinoxalinedioxide (C₁₀H₁₀N₂O₄) crystal. The conducted analysis of the mechanisms of attachment/detachment of the matter to the crystal, the calculations of nanoscale kinetic parameters and their further statistic processing allowed us to gain insights into the fundamental problem of reversibility of growth and dissolution. The findings will contribute to understanding of the theory of crystal-forming processes occurring near equilibrium and to interpretation of pictures of zoning in nature crystals.