@entity3440 polymerization in a supersaturated aqueous solution of @entity36523 is a fundamental mineralization process with broad relevance for technical applications as well as for biological processes. To contribute to a better understanding of the mechanism underlying the polymerization of @entity36523 under ambient conditions, a combined multiangle static and dynamic light scattering study on the evolution of particle mass and size is applied for the first time in a time-resolving manner. The light scattering experiments are complemented by a time-resolved analysis of the decay of the concentration of monomeric @entity7182 by means of the @entity39734 method. Particle formation was investigated at a variable concentration of @entity7182 at pH 7 and 8. The joint experiments revealed a loss of monomers, which is parallel to the formation of compact, spherical particles growing by a monomer-addition process. An increase in the @entity7182 content of up to 750 ppm increased the extent of nucleation and at the same time decreased the lag time observed between the start of the reaction and the actual onset of the growth of particles. Once the @entity3440 content is considerably larger than 1000 ppm, the formation of particles is succeeded by particle-particle agglomeration leading to larger fractal-like particles. By the time agglomeration becomes noticeable with light scattering, the monomer concentration has already reached its equilibrium value. An increase in the pH to 8 again revealed particle formation via a monomer-addition process. However, the extent of nucleation was increased and particle-particle agglomeration was inhibited even at an initial @entity3440 content of 2000 ppm.

Mechanistic studies of XXXX polymerization from supersaturated aqueous solutions by means of time-resolved light scattering.

@entity7182 :: ('MESH:D017640', 'Chemical') :: ['silicate'] @entity36523 :: ('MESH:C005691', 'Chemical') :: ['sodium silicate'] @entity3440 :: ('MESH:D012822', 'Chemical') :: ['Silica', 'silica'] @entity39734 :: ('MESH:C013250', 'Chemical') :: ['silicomolybdate']
@entity3440 :: (MESH:D012822,Chemical) :: ['silica']
