Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol.256, No.2, 351-359, 2002
Formation of chemical gardens
Chemical gardens are the plant-like structures formed upon placing together a soluble metal salt, often in the form of a seed crystal, and an aqueous solution of one of many anions, often sodium silicate. We have observed the development of chemical gardens with Mach-Zehnder interferometry. We show that a combination of forced convection from osmosis and free convection from buoyancy, together with chemical reaction, is responsible for their morphogenesis.
Keywords:chemical garden;colloidal garden;crystal garden;silica garden;silicate garden;Portland cement hydration;corrosion tubes;origin of life