Nucleation and growth kinetics

Nucleation and growth kinetics — Nucleation-and-growth is the principal mechanism of phase transformation in electrochemical systems, widely seen in gas evolution, metal deposition, anodic film formation reactions, and polymer film deposition, etc. It is also seen in solid-state phase transformations (e.g., battery materials). It is characterized by the complex coupling of two processes (nucleation and phase growth of the new phase, typically a crystal), and may also involve a third process (diffusion) at high rates of reaction. In the absence of diffusion, the observed electric current due to the nucleation and growth of a large number of independent crystals is [i]... 

Hanzu, L, Djenizian, T, Ortiz, G. F, and Knauth, P. (2009). Mechanistic Study of Sn Electrodeposition on TiOj nanotube layers thermodynamics, kinetics, nucleation, and growth modes. J. Phys. Chem. C, in press. 

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