Student Seminar
Name: Mr. Vishnu Priya H. R.
Title- Unraveling the Mysteries of Dolomite Formation: Insights from Recent Scientific Breakthrough
Date & Time: Thursday, 28th March 2024 at 4.00 p.m.
Venue: Rajarshi Bhattacharya Memorial Lecture Hall, Chemical Sciences Building
Abstract:
Crystals typically form in supersaturated solutions, yet Dolomite CaMg(CO3)2, a commonly occurring carbonate mineral, presents an intriguing exception by resisting growth even in highly supersaturated conditions at ambient temperatures. Termed “The Dolomite Problem,” this anomaly has intrigued researchers across disciplines for over a century due to its implications in various fields such as hydrocarbon reservoirs, refractories, and construction. In a recent study published in Science, scientists have made significant strides in understanding this problem by employing modelling techniques and in situ microscopy.
During my presentation, I will provide insights into historical and contemporary perspectives on the origins of dolomite. The researchers have elucidated a formation mechanism through atomistic simulations and proposed a solution to the Dolomite Problem. Leveraging in-situ liquid cell transmission electron microscopy with a pulsating beam, they successfully observed dolomite growth at near-ambient conditions. This innovative approach advances our fundamental understanding of crystal growth and holds promise for producing defect-free materials tailored for specific applications in various industries.
References:
(1)Kim, J.; Kimura, Y.; Puchala, B.; Yamazaki, T.; Becker, U.; Sun, W. Dissolution Enables Dolomite Crystal Growth near Ambient Conditions. Science 2023, 382 (6673), 915–920. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adi3690.
(2)Xu, J.; Yan, C.; Zhang, F.; Konishi, H.; Xu, H.; Teng, H. H. Testing the Cation-Hydration Effect on the Crystallization of Ca–Mg–CO 3 Systems. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 2013, 110 (44), 17750–17755. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1307612110.
(3)Pina, C. M.; Pimentel, C.; Crespo, Á. The Dolomite Problem: A Matter of Time. ACS Earth Space Chem. 2022, 6 (6), 1468–1471. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.2c00078.
(4)Schneider, N. M.; Norton, M. M.; Mendel, B. J.; Grogan, J. M.; Ross, F. M.; Bau, H. H. Electron–Water Interactions and Implications for Liquid Cell Electron Microscopy. J. Phys. Chem. C.2014, 118 (38), 22373–22382. https://doi.org/10.1021/jp507400n.