Comparison with the theory of the kinetics and extent of ice crystallization and of the glass-forming tendency in aqueous cryoprotective solutions

Abstract

The glass-forming tendency and stability of the wholly amorphous state of various cryoprotective solutions has been studied in recent years (5-10, 20). A lot of experimental data including heats of ice crystallization at various cooling rates and devitrification temperatures have been given. In this article these data have been compared with analytical expressions using a semiempirical model. The theoretical variation of the total quantity of ice crystallized with the cooling rate fits very well with the experimental data, adjusting only one parameter. Using the same model, theoretical differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) crystallization peaks have been obtained for cooling or rewarming. The general shape, height, and width of the theoretical peaks are very similar to those of the experimental peaks. The differences are comparable to the random variations of the experimental peaks from one experiment to another. The analytical expressions obtained here could be used to study the relationship between the kinetics of ice crystallization and cell damage when ice crystallizes incompletely inside or outside the cells. These expressions have been applied to ice crystallization for applications in cryobiology. But they could also probably be used in other fields of research such as crystallization from silicates or other mineral or organic glasses.