Nucleation
Basic Theory with Applications
- 2nd Edition - July 1, 2026
- Latest edition
- Author: Dimo Kashchiev
- Language: English
Nucleation: Basic Theory with Applications, Second Edition updates the classic, highly cited introductory work by Dimo Kashchiev. It is a detailed and systematic account of the ba… Read more
Nucleation: Basic Theory with Applications, Second Edition updates the classic, highly cited introductory work by Dimo Kashchiev. It is a detailed and systematic account of the basic principles, developments, and applications of the theory of nucleation.
The first two parts of the book describe in detail the two basic approaches in nucleation theory: thermodynamic and kinetic. They contain derivations of the basic and most important formulae of the theory and discuss their limitations and possibilities for improvement. The third part deals with some of the factors that can affect nucleation and is a natural continuation of the first two chapters. The last part is devoted to the application of the theory to processes of practical importance, such as melt crystallization and polymorphic transformation, crystal growth and growth of thin solid films, size distribution of droplets and crystallites in condensation and crystallization. Included is a new chapter on the formation of gas hydrates. Several appendices have also been added providing important contemporary results in nucleation theory.
Nucleation: Basic Theory with Applications, Second Edition remains the go-to book for a foundational understanding of this distinct and important subdiscipline. It is written primarily for graduate and Ph.D. level students and tutors, as well as researchers or engineers across chemistry, physics, and materials science, with additional relevance to biochemists, biomedical engineers and energy and environmental scientists.
The first two parts of the book describe in detail the two basic approaches in nucleation theory: thermodynamic and kinetic. They contain derivations of the basic and most important formulae of the theory and discuss their limitations and possibilities for improvement. The third part deals with some of the factors that can affect nucleation and is a natural continuation of the first two chapters. The last part is devoted to the application of the theory to processes of practical importance, such as melt crystallization and polymorphic transformation, crystal growth and growth of thin solid films, size distribution of droplets and crystallites in condensation and crystallization. Included is a new chapter on the formation of gas hydrates. Several appendices have also been added providing important contemporary results in nucleation theory.
Nucleation: Basic Theory with Applications, Second Edition remains the go-to book for a foundational understanding of this distinct and important subdiscipline. It is written primarily for graduate and Ph.D. level students and tutors, as well as researchers or engineers across chemistry, physics, and materials science, with additional relevance to biochemists, biomedical engineers and energy and environmental scientists.
- Self-contained, logically structured, in-depth description of the fundamentals of (primarily classical) nucleation theory
- Also provides detailed descriptions of important applications of nucleation
- Thorough updates to the existing chapters with fresh presentation and fully updated references
- Includes a new chapter focusing on the formation of gas hydrate and additional appendices which add important new results in nucleation theory
This book is rooted in physical chemistry but will be useful primarily to graduate and Ph.D. students, lecturers, professors, researchers, engineers. Reference book for academic and industrial researchers. in various areas of chemistry (such as physical chemistry, solid-state chemistry, colloidal chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, geochemistry, electrochemistry, chemical engineering), physics (such as thermodynamics, physical kinetics, phase-transition physics, solid-state physics, geophysics, atmospheric physics, biophysics), and materials science and technology (such as crystallization, crystal growth, micro-, nano- and opto-electronics, pharmaceutics, foods)
Part I: Thermodynamics of nucleation
1. First-order phase transitions
2. Driving force for nucleation
3. Work for cluster formation
4. Nucleus size and nucleation work
5. Nucleation theorem
6. Properties of clusters
7. Equilibrium cluster size distribution
8. Density-functional approach
Part II: Kinetics of nucleation
9. Master equation
10. Transition frequencies
11. Nucleation rate
12. Equilibrium
13. Stationary nucleation
14. First application of the nucleation theorem
15. Non-stationary nucleation
16. Second application of the nucleation theorem
17. Nucleation at variable supersaturation
Part III: Factors affecting nucleation
18. Seed size
19. Line energy
20. Strain energy
21. Electric field
22. Carrier-gas pressure
23. Solution pressure
24. Pre-existing clusters
25. Active centres
Part IV: Applications
26. Overall crystallization
27. Crystal growth
28. Third application of the nucleation theorem
29. Induction time in new-phase formation
30. Fourth application of the nucleation theorem
31. Metastability limit in new-phase formation
32. Maximum number of supernuclei
33. Size distribution of supernuclei
34. Growth of thin films
35. Rupture of amphiphile bilayers
36. Formation of gas hydrates Appendices
A1. Exact formula for the non-stationary nucleation rate
A2. Approximate formula for the non-stationary nucleation rate
A3. Initial concentration of supernuclei in previously supersaturated systems
A4. The Gibbs (pre-classical) nucleation theory
A5. Nucleation work from the binodal to the spinodal
A6. Surface tension of nucleus of any size
A7. Probability to form at least one nucleus
A8. Growth probability of individual cluster
A9. Mean formation time of individual cluster
A10. non-classical two-step nucleation References Subject Index
1. First-order phase transitions
2. Driving force for nucleation
3. Work for cluster formation
4. Nucleus size and nucleation work
5. Nucleation theorem
6. Properties of clusters
7. Equilibrium cluster size distribution
8. Density-functional approach
Part II: Kinetics of nucleation
9. Master equation
10. Transition frequencies
11. Nucleation rate
12. Equilibrium
13. Stationary nucleation
14. First application of the nucleation theorem
15. Non-stationary nucleation
16. Second application of the nucleation theorem
17. Nucleation at variable supersaturation
Part III: Factors affecting nucleation
18. Seed size
19. Line energy
20. Strain energy
21. Electric field
22. Carrier-gas pressure
23. Solution pressure
24. Pre-existing clusters
25. Active centres
Part IV: Applications
26. Overall crystallization
27. Crystal growth
28. Third application of the nucleation theorem
29. Induction time in new-phase formation
30. Fourth application of the nucleation theorem
31. Metastability limit in new-phase formation
32. Maximum number of supernuclei
33. Size distribution of supernuclei
34. Growth of thin films
35. Rupture of amphiphile bilayers
36. Formation of gas hydrates Appendices
A1. Exact formula for the non-stationary nucleation rate
A2. Approximate formula for the non-stationary nucleation rate
A3. Initial concentration of supernuclei in previously supersaturated systems
A4. The Gibbs (pre-classical) nucleation theory
A5. Nucleation work from the binodal to the spinodal
A6. Surface tension of nucleus of any size
A7. Probability to form at least one nucleus
A8. Growth probability of individual cluster
A9. Mean formation time of individual cluster
A10. non-classical two-step nucleation References Subject Index
- Edition: 2
- Latest edition
- Published: July 1, 2026
- Language: English
DK
Dimo Kashchiev
Dimo Kashchiev is a Professor at the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria. He graduated in physics at Sofia University in Sofia, Bulgaria after presenting a theoretical M.Sc. thesis on nonstationary nucleation. In the same year he joined the Institute of Physical Chemistry at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. In this Institute he took the position of Research Professor in 1989. In 1975 he defended a Ph.D. thesis on the kinetic theory of nucleation, and in 1987 he obtained the degree of Doctor of Science for a thesis on the theory of nucleation and growth of new phases. In 2004 he became Corresponding Member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. In 1970 he specialized for two months in the Laboratory for Crystal Growth of Prof. A. A. Chernov at the USSR Academy of Sciences in Moscow, Russia. In 1975-1976 he was a postdoctoral research fellow for one year in the Laboratory for Crystal Growth of Prof. P. Bennema at the Delft University of Technology in Delft, The Netherlands. Professor Kashchiev was Visiting Professor (by invitation) at the Delft University of Technology in Delft, The Netherlands, Hiroshima University in Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan, Reservoir Engineering Research Institute in Palo Alto, California, and Liverhulme Visiting Professor at the University of Leeds in Leeds, UK.
Affiliations and expertise
Institute of Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia , Bulgaria