Factors Controlling Stability of Hydrated Amorphous Material Formed from Solution at Interfaces

The overarching goal of this project is to understand the fundamental mechanisms controlling the stability of amorphous materials formed from aqueous solutions in the absence and presence of interfaces. Answering this foundational science question will lead to the ability to control the stability of amorphous phases formed from aqueous solution and will allow us to create complex materials with targeted structures and properties. The proposed research will change our textbook understanding of stability of amorphous phases formed from aqueous solution—currently based solely on thermodynamical relationships and kinetics of crystalline materials—to include key kinetic principles and reaction mechanisms specific to amorphous phases.