Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 15933 |
| Journal | Nature Communications |
| Volume | 8 |
| Publication status | Published - 21 Jun 2017 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
A key requirement for the understanding of crystal growth is to detect how new layers form and grow at the nanoscale. Multistage crystallization pathways involving liquid-like, amorphous or metastable crystalline precursors have been predicted by theoretical work and have been observed experimentally. Nevertheless, there is no clear evidence that any of these precursors can also be relevant for the growth of crystals of organic compounds. Herein, we present a new growth mode for crystals of DL-glutamic acid monohydrate that proceeds through the attachment of preformed nanoscopic species from solution, their subsequent decrease in height at the surface and final transformation into crystalline 2D nuclei that eventually build new molecular layers by further monomer incorporation. This alternative mechanism provides a direct proof for the existence of multistage pathways in the crystallization of molecular compounds and the relevance of precursor units larger than the monomeric constituents in the actual stage of growth.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
- General Physics and Astronomy
- Chemistry(all)
- General Chemistry
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
- General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
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In: Nature Communications, Vol. 8, 15933, 21.06.2017.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Growth of organic crystals via attachment and transformation of nanoscopic precursors
AU - Jiang, Yuan
AU - Kellermeier, Matthias
AU - Gebauer, Denis
AU - Lu, Zihao
AU - Rosenberg, Rose
AU - Moise, Adrian
AU - Przybylski, Michael
AU - Cölfen, Helmut
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2017.
PY - 2017/6/21
Y1 - 2017/6/21
N2 - A key requirement for the understanding of crystal growth is to detect how new layers form and grow at the nanoscale. Multistage crystallization pathways involving liquid-like, amorphous or metastable crystalline precursors have been predicted by theoretical work and have been observed experimentally. Nevertheless, there is no clear evidence that any of these precursors can also be relevant for the growth of crystals of organic compounds. Herein, we present a new growth mode for crystals of DL-glutamic acid monohydrate that proceeds through the attachment of preformed nanoscopic species from solution, their subsequent decrease in height at the surface and final transformation into crystalline 2D nuclei that eventually build new molecular layers by further monomer incorporation. This alternative mechanism provides a direct proof for the existence of multistage pathways in the crystallization of molecular compounds and the relevance of precursor units larger than the monomeric constituents in the actual stage of growth.
AB - A key requirement for the understanding of crystal growth is to detect how new layers form and grow at the nanoscale. Multistage crystallization pathways involving liquid-like, amorphous or metastable crystalline precursors have been predicted by theoretical work and have been observed experimentally. Nevertheless, there is no clear evidence that any of these precursors can also be relevant for the growth of crystals of organic compounds. Herein, we present a new growth mode for crystals of DL-glutamic acid monohydrate that proceeds through the attachment of preformed nanoscopic species from solution, their subsequent decrease in height at the surface and final transformation into crystalline 2D nuclei that eventually build new molecular layers by further monomer incorporation. This alternative mechanism provides a direct proof for the existence of multistage pathways in the crystallization of molecular compounds and the relevance of precursor units larger than the monomeric constituents in the actual stage of growth.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85021179162&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1038/ncomms15933
DO - 10.1038/ncomms15933
M3 - Article
C2 - 28714479
VL - 8
JO - Nature Communications
JF - Nature Communications
SN - 2041-1723
M1 - 15933
ER -