In
chemistry,
recrystallization is a technique used to purify chemicals. By dissolving both impurities and a compound in an appropriate solvent, either the desired compound or impurities can be coaxed out of solution, leaving the other behind. It is named for the
crystals often formed when the compound precipitates out. Alternatively,
recrystallization can refer to the natural growth of larger
ice crystals at the expense of smaller ones.