This research challenges the established nucleation-and-growth paradigm by investigating short-lived pre-nucleation species (PNS) in calcium carbonate formation. Using 'Bullet' dynamic nuclear polarization (Bullet-DNP), the researchers characterized species forming within milliseconds after calcium and carbonate ions interact, demonstrating that ionic PNS govern solidification at both weak and high oversaturation. Two distinct PNS with different sizes and compositions were identified, highlighting the potential of Bullet-DNP for studying carbonate-based material formation.

Ertan Turhan, Masoud Minaei, Pooja Narwal, Benno Meier, Karel Kouřil, Dennis Kurzbach