Nucleation, Growth, and Aggregation of Mineral Phases: Mechanisms and Kinetic Controls

The formation of any phase, whether natural or synthetic (Fig. 7.1), is usually a disequilibrium process that follows a series of steps until a thermodynamically stable state (equilibrium) is achieved. The first step in the process of creating a new solid phase from a supersaturated solution (either aqueous or solid) is called nucleation. A particle formed by the event of nucleation usually has a poorly ordered and often highly hydrated structure. This particle is metastable with respect to ordering into a well-defined phase, which can accompany growth of the particle. This process of initiation of a new phase is defined as a first order transition and can follow various pathways involving a host of mechanisms. One of these pathways occurs when individual nuclei coalesce into larger clusters, a process defined as aggregation, which itself can follow a series of different pathways. The new phase is thermodynamically defined when the growing nucleus or aggregate has distinct properties relative to its host matrix; for example, a well-defined crystal structure, composition and/or density. These processes depend on a plethora of chemical and physical parameters that control and strongly affect the formation of new nuclei, the growth of a new crystal, or the aggregation behavior of clusters, and it is these issues that will be the focus of this chapter. We will discuss the mechanisms and rates of each process as well as the methods of quantification or modeling from the point of view of existing theoretical understanding. Each step will be illustrated with natural examples or laboratory experimental quantifications. Complementary to the information in this chapter, a detailed analysis of the mechanisms and processes that govern dissolution of a phase are discussed in detail in Chap. 5 and more detailed information about molecular modeling approaches are outlined in Chap. 2.