Solute clustering in supersaturated solutions

Concentration gradients in a vertical column of aqueous supersaturated solution have been measured for a number of solutes. It is assumed that these gradients result from the presence of solute clusters. A theoretical analysis based on the assumption of steady-state quasi-equilibrium allows the size of these clusters to be estimated. Typically they contain of the order of 103 molecules and are between about 4 and 10 nm in...