Growth of organic crystals via attachment and transformation of nanoscopic precursors.

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 altern

SUBMITTER: Jiang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5482053 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature