Chemical reaction directed oriented attachment: from precursor particles to new substances

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel chemical reaction directed oriented attachment mechanism that enables the transformation of precursor nanoparticles into new crystalline substances, expanding the understanding of crystal growth processes.

Contribution

It presents the first example of chemical reaction driven oriented attachment, demonstrating a new pathway for nanoparticle transformation into complex crystals.

Findings

Y2(CO3)3.2H2O nanoparticles convert to double-carbonates

First-principles calculations support OA growth role

Enriches aggregation-based crystal growth theory

Abstract

The oriented attachment (OA) of nanoparticles is an important mechanism for the synthesis of the crystals of inorganic functional materials, and the formation of natural minerals. For years it has been generally acknowledged that OA is a physical process, i.e., particle alignments and interface fusion via mass diffusion, not involving the formation of new substances. Hence, the obtained crystals maintain identical crystallographic structures and chemical constituents to those of the precursor particles. Here we report a chemical reaction directed OA growth, through which Y2(CO3)3.2H2O nanoparticles are converted to single-crystalline double-carbonates (e.g., NaY(CO3)2.6H2O). The dominant role of OA growth is supported by our first-principles calculations. Such a new OA mechanism enriches the aggregation-based crystal growth theory.