Aggregation-governed Oriented Growth of Inorganic Crystals at an Organic Template
X-ray studies performed during the growth of CdCO{sub 3} and MnCO{sub 3} crystals from supersaturated aqueous solutions, at fatty acid monolayer templates, reveal that the nucleates are nearly three-dimensional powders below a threshold supersaturation. However, at higher supersaturations, the crystals are preferentially oriented with the {l_brace}0 1 2{r_brace} direction vertical. Scanning electron microscope images of samples transferred to substrates show discrete crystals at low concentrations, while at higher concentrations the crystals self-aggregate to form linear chains and sheets. The authors speculate that preferential alignment at the organic-inorganic interface is enhanced as a consequence of oriented aggregation of crystals. The role of monolayer-ion interactions in governing the morphologies and the resulting orientation of the inorganic nucleate is discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). National Synchrotron Light Source
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Doe - Office Of Science
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-98CH10886
- OSTI ID:
- 930606
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-80912-2008-JA; JCPSA6; TRN: US200904%%614
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol. 125, Issue 22; ISSN 0021-9606
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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