Cooling crystallization is a process where a solution is cooled to lower its solubility, leading to the formation of crystals as the solute separates from the solvent. As the temperature drops, the solute's ability to remain dissolved decreases, causing it to crystallize out of the solution. This method is widely used in industries like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and food processing, where the purity and size of the crystals are critical.
Precise control over the cooling rate is essential to avoid rapid nucleation, which can lead to smaller, less uniform crystals. Cooling crystallization is favoured for heat-sensitive compounds, as it doesn’t require high temperatures, helping preserve the quality of the material.