AIChE Journal, Vol.41, No.10, 2227-2236, 1995
Growth of Naphthalene Crystals from Supercritical CO2 Solution
The growth phenomena, mechanism, and kinetics of naphthalene crystals from super critical CO2 solution were studied by using a single-crystal technique. Distinct growth features were observed, including the development of individuals from the seeds and the spl outing of plates from the individuals. The surface integration proceeded by two-dimensional nucleation mechanism at face corners and by subsequent spreading of the nuclei. The measured growth rates as functions of supersaturation and solubility were consistent with the derived growth-rate equations, based on the corner nucleation mechanism. In comparison with crystal growth from conventional media, the growth of naphthalene crystals from supercritical CO2 solution is similar to liquid-solution growth as far as growth mechanism and kinetics are concerned.