further chem
In most cases, the metastable nucleus transforms spontaneously into the stable phase as it grows. In our simulations, however, graphite persists, as the activation free energy to transform graphite into diamond is high, and crystallisation happens too rapidly.
ostwald step rule:
- in phase transitions or crystallisations, when a system transforms from a metastable state to a more stable state, it does not necessary convert directly into the most thermodynamically state, rather it forms the least stable phase that is kinetically easiest to nucleate (i.e. lowest interfacial tension or activation energy), then transforms stepwise through progressively more stable phases until the most stable phase is reached
https://arxiv.org/pdf/2503.02069v2
metastability:
- condition of a system that is in a locally minimal state, but not in the global minimum energy state
- separated by energy barrier preventing spontaneous transition on observable timescales
- similar to organic kinetic vs thermodynamic products
rates often follows arrhenius-like behaviour
where