Direct observations of the dissolution of fluorite surfaces with different orientations

Atomic force microscopy has been used to observe the surface dynamics during dissolution of polished fluorite surfaces with different orientations. These surfaces, with an initially high density of atomic scale defects, showed fast changes during the first seconds in contact with a solution. Differe...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Godinho, J., Putnis, Christine, Piazolo, S.
Format: Journal Article
Published: 2014
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/43901
_version_ 1848756842139746304
author Godinho, J.
Putnis, Christine
Piazolo, S.
author_facet Godinho, J.
Putnis, Christine
Piazolo, S.
author_sort Godinho, J.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Atomic force microscopy has been used to observe the surface dynamics during dissolution of polished fluorite surfaces with different orientations. These surfaces, with an initially high density of atomic scale defects, showed fast changes during the first seconds in contact with a solution. Different types of structures developed on each surface, depending on its initial orientation and solution composition. These structures dissolved slower than the main surface persisting for at least 67.5 days of continuous dissolution. A new interpretation of traditional kinetic and thermodynamic models of dissolution applied to surfaces with a high density of steps is proposed to explain the observations. The new model includes the following: (a) fast initial dissolution at defect sites, (b) formation of a fluid boundary layer at the mineral-solution interface enriched in the dissolving ions, and (c) precipitation of more stable fluorite structures nucleated at surface defects. This model highlights the importance of considering surface defects and crystal orientation for advancing our understanding of processes happening at the mineral-solution interface and for developing more accurate kinetic dissolution and crystal growth models essential in Earth and material sciences. © 2013 American Chemical Society.
first_indexed 2025-11-14T09:18:37Z
format Journal Article
id curtin-20.500.11937-43901
institution Curtin University Malaysia
institution_category Local University
last_indexed 2025-11-14T09:18:37Z
publishDate 2014
recordtype eprints
repository_type Digital Repository
spelling curtin-20.500.11937-439012017-09-13T13:42:27Z Direct observations of the dissolution of fluorite surfaces with different orientations Godinho, J. Putnis, Christine Piazolo, S. Atomic force microscopy has been used to observe the surface dynamics during dissolution of polished fluorite surfaces with different orientations. These surfaces, with an initially high density of atomic scale defects, showed fast changes during the first seconds in contact with a solution. Different types of structures developed on each surface, depending on its initial orientation and solution composition. These structures dissolved slower than the main surface persisting for at least 67.5 days of continuous dissolution. A new interpretation of traditional kinetic and thermodynamic models of dissolution applied to surfaces with a high density of steps is proposed to explain the observations. The new model includes the following: (a) fast initial dissolution at defect sites, (b) formation of a fluid boundary layer at the mineral-solution interface enriched in the dissolving ions, and (c) precipitation of more stable fluorite structures nucleated at surface defects. This model highlights the importance of considering surface defects and crystal orientation for advancing our understanding of processes happening at the mineral-solution interface and for developing more accurate kinetic dissolution and crystal growth models essential in Earth and material sciences. © 2013 American Chemical Society. 2014 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/43901 10.1021/cg401119p restricted
spellingShingle Godinho, J.
Putnis, Christine
Piazolo, S.
Direct observations of the dissolution of fluorite surfaces with different orientations
title Direct observations of the dissolution of fluorite surfaces with different orientations
title_full Direct observations of the dissolution of fluorite surfaces with different orientations
title_fullStr Direct observations of the dissolution of fluorite surfaces with different orientations
title_full_unstemmed Direct observations of the dissolution of fluorite surfaces with different orientations
title_short Direct observations of the dissolution of fluorite surfaces with different orientations
title_sort direct observations of the dissolution of fluorite surfaces with different orientations
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/43901