Nucleation kinetics and growth aspects of glycine phosphite ferroelectric single crystals

The nucleation parameters of glycine phosphite (GPI) ferroelectric single crystal were estimated in an aqueous solution using the classical homogeneous nucleation theory. The solubility, metastable zonewidth and induction period were determined experimentally by employing gravimetric, polythermal and isothermal method respectively. The interfacial energy was determined using the induction period values and the same was used for the further evaluation of the nucleation parameters. It was observed that the nucleation rate increases with an increase in supersaturation and hence nucleation is more probable at a higher value of supersaturation. Bulk size GPI single crystals were grown using the optimized nucleation parameters. The crystalline perfection and the defects of the as grown specimens were studied and the obtained results have been presented in this paper.