LAUSR

Abstract Experimental results of an investigation of crystallization of calcium sulfate dihydrate by potentiometry, conductometry, redoxmetry and photometry are presented and discussed. The chemical species participating in the crystallization process are determined and the dominant role of CaSO40 complexes is demonstrated. It is found that: (1) spontaneous homogeneous crystallization kinetics follows linear dependence on absolute supersaturation, which is characteristic of diffusion-controlled crystals growth, (2) the induction period for nucleation the interfacial tension of the nuclei 7.04 mJ/m2 and 9.69 mJ/m2, and (3) the abrupt change in the interfacial tension occurs when initial concentrations (Ca2+)0 ≈ (SO42−)0 and is associated with the recharging of the micelle that can aggregate to form a transitional amorphous phase.