Recent progress on strategies for the enhancement of crystal growth process

Abstract

As an important step in the crystallization process, crystal growth directly determines the size and crystal habit of the final crystals. In some instances, enhancing the crystal growth process could be challenging, especially for macromolecules. Numerous technologies have been developed to address this problem. Based on recent literature, this study systematically reviewed process intensification (PI) technologies and strategies for crystal growth. The effects of intensification methods on crystal morphology, growth rate and particle size distribution in the crystallization process were mainly discussed from solvents, supersaturation, additives and physical fields. Moreover, the advantages and limitations of various intensification methods of the crystal growth process were compared and described. Furthermore, the main research focus and the promising perspectives of crystal growth intensification methods are summarized and discussed.