Physics Department
Mailing address:
Clarkson University
PO Box 5822
Potsdam, NY, 13699
E-mail: sevonkiv@clarkson.edu
Office phone: 315.268.7653
Spring 2009
Colloid and Nanoparticle Research Group
The goal of our research has been to develop an understanding of
the formation of uniform nanosize and colloidal particles of various shapes and morphologies.
This knowledge is essential in numerous areas of modern technology, medicine, and national security,
because many properties of such particles (such as optical, magnetic, catalytic) are strongly dependent
on their size and shape.
Currently we analyze the mechanism of formation of neighborite cubic particles. We made a series of experiments that provides strong evidence that the formation of neighborite from ions of Na, F, and Mg is a two stage process. During the first stage, primary crystal units of
MgF2 are formed, which are then transformed in the second stage
into primary subunits of NaMgF3, and then they aggregate and grow into the fine product of
polycrystalline neighborite particles with cubic shape. Our ratiocinations are supported with TEM, SEM, XRD, and electron diffraction
evidences.
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