Crystallization in an ionic system with strong intermediate-ranged order and a reduction in dimensionality: A computer simulation study

The crystallization of liquid $\rm ZnCl_2$ is investigated using a polarizable-ion potential model. The formation of a system-wide layered structure is observed. The onset of the nucleation event is identified in the system energetics, pressure and structure factor corresponding to the formation of the layers. Voronoi analysis is used to highlight the growth of the nanocrystallite through the void structure. The nucleation event is understood in terms of classical nucleation theory and the liquid behaviour at higher temperature