Morphology and microstructure regulation of inorganic salts in an additive-free water system via the self-organization of hierarchical crystal clusters: Mechanism, model, and applications

•The generation of clusters involves corner-on oriented cubes as building blocks.•Spheroidization method of inorganic in an additive-free water system was developed.•Model design and morphological simulation of hierarchical clusters were performed.•Spherical salts and multi-component functional salts were prepared on a large scale.•Surface stepped of HCC increases specific surface area and loading performance.