Systematic dependence of kinetic and thermodynamic barriers to homogeneous silica nucleation on NaCl and amino acids

The kinetics of silica polymerization was measured in silicic acid solutions containing a suite of 0.1 M amino acids, 0.1 M citric acid, 0.7 M NaCl, and 0.10 M NaCl (Control). Fitting a modified classical rate model to measurements of induction time (s) at 20 degrees C for a series of supersaturated solutions, we estimate the thermodynamic barrier (DGc), interfacial free energy (c), and kinetic barrier (Dagk) for silica nucleation. For 0.10 M NaCl solutions, cControl = 54.9 +/- 1.6 mJ/m(2) and Dagk Control = 2.29 x 10 x 19 J/mol. These values are consistent with previous reports for amorphous and fused silica materials. To facilitate comparisons with the treatments, Dagk Control is converted to a molar basis and used as a reference datum, such that Dagk Control = 0.0 J/mol. The effects of salt and organic acids on nucleation rate have thermodynamic and kinetic origins, respectively. Faster nucleation rates measured in 0.7 M NaCl solutions arise from a lower interfacial free energy, such that c0.7 M NaCl = 51.4 +/- 1.7 mJ/m(2). Organic acids increase rate through biomolecule-specific reductions in Dagk. Catalytic effects are greatest for lysine (Dagk lysine = -1685 +/- 315) and citric acid (Dagk citric = -1690 +/- 96 J/ mol). Reductions in the kinetic barrier correlate with net positive charge of the amino acids and dissociation of the amine Ka-NH3 o + thorn group and thus the abundance of the conjugate base. Citric acid, lacking amine groups, promotes the greatest rate enhancement, thus demonstrating the role(s) of additional kinetic factors in promoting nucleation rate. Catalytic activity correlates with multiple physical and chemical properties of the organic acids.