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Towards a Fundamental Understanding of the Mechanics of Crystal Agglomeration: A Microscopic and Molecular Approach

A novel experimental apparatus has been developed which enables the measurement of adhesion forces between two crystals suspended in a supersaturated solution and allowed to agglomerate over a fixed time period. The geometry of the crystal surfaces at the contact points and the dynamic development of the bond are captured on video and characterised using an image analysis technique. The experimental apparatus has been designed to allow control of supersaturation, orientation of crystal faces, distance between crystals, relative movement of crystals and contact time. The experimental results show that the agglomerate bond strength, expressed as the agglomerate adhesion force per unit contact area, increases with increasing supersaturation and is higher for faster growing faces than for slower growing faces. In addition, a qualitative comparison has been made between the measured force and a theoretical estimation of the interaction force between crystal faces, determined through molecular modelling. It is shown that the speed of approach of two opposing crystal faces is a key parameter in the nature of the subsequent bond, as is their atomic structure.