Carbamazepine (CBZ) is known for its variety of anhydrous and hydrous polymorphs. Herein, a thorough analysis of the crystallization behavior of CBZ is presented. The influence of the solvent and the concentration on the crystallization behavior under different environmental conditions is investigated by combined in situ XRD and Raman spectroscopy measurements. Crystallization studies conducted via conventional crystallization in glass tubes and in levitated droplets using an acoustic levitator indicate a dependence of the crystallization process from solvent and surface.
Time-resolved in situ investigation of Portland cement hydration influenced by chemical admixtures
(2016)
Numerous admixtures are used in the building practice to customize the properties of the cement paste during application. The influences of admixtures on the course of cement hydration and formation of hydrate phases have to be considered. Polycarboxylate ether (PCE) based polymeric superplasticizers (SPs) are known to retard the setting of the cement paste. The extent of the retardation differs depending on the molecular structure of the SP. Additionally, the presence of a stabilizing agent (SA) in the cement paste has a retarding side effect on the setting. The initial cement hydration processes and the detailed mechanisms of the retardation influenced by PCEs, as well as their interactions with particular SAs, are insufficiently understood. Up to now, only the results of phenomenological studies were taken into account to describe this retardation process. A detailed structure analysis monitoring the change of the phase composition during the hydration was never applied. Both SP and SA affect the adsorption of the sulphate ions on the clinker particles, causing changes in the formation of ettringite during the initial hydration, and are therefore a crucial part of the setting process itself. Here, the initial hydration of cement influenced by the interaction of SP and SA was monitored in situ by synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The high time resolution of the measurements allowed a continuous detection of the hydrates formed. The hydration was followed from the starting point of water addition and for couple of hours afterwards. The hydration of the levitated cement pellets containing starch as SA was initialized by adding aqueous solutions of different commercial SPs. Changes in the ettringite formation were detected in comparison to the reference hydration of pure cement.
Theoretical and experimental studies indicate that crystal nucleation can take more complex pathways than expected on the ground of the classical nucleation theory. A direct in situ observation of the different pathways of nucleation from solution is challenging since the paths can be influenced by heterogeneous nucleation sites, such as container walls.
The custom-made acoustic levitator using in these experiments regulates the influence that solid surfaces, temperature, and humidity have on the crystallization process. The investigations of the crystallization process of paracetamol were performed with in situ analytical techniques and theoretical simulations to gain a comprehensive insight into processes, occurring intermediates, and required reaction conditions. The targeted choice of the solvent and the concentration enabled the guidance of the pathways, therefore, resulting in the isolation of one desired crystalline structure.