GROWTH OF SINGLE CRYSTALS BY CONTROLLED DIFFUSION IN SILICA GEL

Monocrystals of calcium tartrate tetrahydrate, neodymium‐doped calcium tartrate tetrahydrate, and cuprous chloride have been grown by controlled diffusion in silica gel using both metathetical and decomplexation reactions. Conditions for the optimum growth of the crystals are given and it is shown how the pH of the gel, the temperature of its formation, the concentration of the reactants which make up the gel, and the concentration of the reactants which result in the crystal are important in attaining good single crystal products. Crystals have been grown up to 11 mm. on edge in three to four weeks, and in many cases take on a form which, to all outward appearances, seem to have been cut and polished. Copyright © 1969 American Institute of Chemical Engineers