Experimental and theoretical substantiations of stepwise mechanism of crystal formation from liquid phase

Abstract

This article reviews studies of the sequence of phase transitions of the «liquid – solid» and «solid – solid» type, including formation of intermediate phases (Ostwald’s rule of stages). It is emphasized that such transformations also take place in a nanoscale state with the formation of nano-nuclei of high-pressure phases. Experimental data on the kinetics of the nanoscale stage of gas hydrates nucleation in water-in-oil emulsions, pointing to the stepwise mechanism of the process, are discussed for the first time.

Keywords

• nano-nuclei
• phase transitions of the «liquid – solid» and «solid – solid» type
• Ostwald’s rule of stages