Electron transparent nanotubes reveal crystallization pathways in confinement

Galloway, Johanna M.; Aslam, Zabeada; Yeandel, Stephen R.; Kulak, Alexander N.; Ilett, Martha; Kim, Yi‐Yeoun; Bejarano‐Villafuerte, Ángela; Pokroy, Boaz; Drummond-Brydson, Rik M.; Freeman, Colin L.; Harding, John H.; Kapur, Nikil; Meldrum, Fiona C.

doi:10.1039/d3sc00869j

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 74 publications

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“…19 Bassanite has been reported to form in water/alcohol mixtures and is also stabilised in confinement. [20][21][22] Significant efforts have been made to determine the mechanism through which calcium sulphate precipitates and these are highlighted in our previous publication. 15 Specifically, earlier literature suggests that gypsum forms via a two-step process, while more recent publications suggest that an amorphous precursor forms during the precipitation of gypsum.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Studying crystallisation processes using electron microscopy: The importance of sample preparation

Ilett,

Afzali,

Abdulkarim

et al. 2024

Journal of Microscopy

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We present a comparison of common electron microscopy sample preparation methods for studying crystallisation processes from solution using both scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). We focus on two widely studied inorganic systems: calcium sulphate, gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3). We find significant differences in crystallisation kinetics and polymorph selection between the different sample preparation methods, which indicate that drying and chemical quenching can induce severe artefacts that are capable of masking the true native state of the crystallising solution. Overall, these results highlight the importance of cryogenic (cryo)‐quenching crystallising solutions and the use of full cryo‐TEM as the most reliable method for studying the early stages of crystallisation.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Studying crystallisation processes using electron microscopy: The importance of sample preparation

Ilett,

Afzali,

Abdulkarim

et al. 2024

Journal of Microscopy

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Quasi–1D Anhydrite Nanobelts from the Sustainable Liquid Exfoliation of Terrestrial Gypsum for Future Martian‐Based Electronics

Wei,

Roy,

Aljarid

et al. 2023

Adv Funct Materials

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The sky is the limit with regards to the societal impact nanomaterials can have on the lives. However, in this study, it is shown that their potential is out of this world. The planet Mars has an abundant source of calcium sulfate minerals and in this work, it is shown that these deposits can be the basis of transformative nanomaterials to potentially support future space endeavors. Vitally, the methods applied are low cost and require no specialized instruments of great expertise, strengthening the potential involvement of nanotechnology in sustaining Martian inhabitation. Through a scalable eco‐friendly liquid processing technique performed on two common terrestrial gypsum, this simple method presented a cost‐efficient procedure to yield suspensions of large aspect ratio anhydrite nanobelts with long‐term stability that are characterized through scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy shows nanobelts to have a mesocrystal structure, with distinct nanoparticle constituents making up the lattice. Unexpectedly, anhydrite nanobelts have remarkable electronic properties, namely a bandgap that is easily tuned between semiconducting (≈2.2 eV) and insulating (≈4 eV) behaviors through dimensional control measured via atomic force microscopy. To demonstrate the application potential of the nanobelts; optoelectronic, electrochemical, and nanocomposite measurements are made.

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Hollow fiber membrane governed microjet flow regime for confined crystallization of large‐sized crystal aggregates

Niu,

Du,

Liang

et al. 2024

AIChE Journal

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Confined crystallization can realize controllable nucleation and growth of crystals with targeted morphologies in a restricted region. Here, we achieved confined reactive crystallization within a novel micro columnar jet flow regime constructed by the hollow fiber membrane. The interface of the jet flow corresponds as the restricted region for reactive crystallization, and the large‐sized calcium carbonate (CaCO3) crystals aggregates with millimeter length can ordered and self‐assembly grow along the boundary of this region. Formation mechanism of the jet flow was systematically investigated by real‐time observation and force analysis. The detected detachment‐regrowth cycle during the experiments furtherly uncovered the potential for continuous operation. Linear (diameter: 0.12–0.3 mm; length: 1.5–3.1 mm) and lamellar crystals (thickness of 200–300 nm and average area of 0.21 mm2) were obtained by effectively manipulating the diameter and effective length of jet flow.

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Electron transparent nanotubes reveal crystallization pathways in confinement

Abstract: Transparent nanotubes made by coating track etched membranes with amorphous titania are used to study the evolutionary pathways of calcium sulfate crystallization in confinement.

Cited by 6 publications

References 74 publications

Studying crystallisation processes using electron microscopy: The importance of sample preparation

Studying crystallisation processes using electron microscopy: The importance of sample preparation

Quasi–1D Anhydrite Nanobelts from the Sustainable Liquid Exfoliation of Terrestrial Gypsum for Future Martian‐Based Electronics

Hollow fiber membrane governed microjet flow regime for confined crystallization of large‐sized crystal aggregates

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