Shape, Size and Morphology Control of Inorganic Crystals With Self-Assembled Monolayers

Abstract

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) provide simple, yet sophisticated surfaces to mimic the effect of proteins associated with the process of biomineralization. A careful selection of organic molecules with an appropriate surface chemistry (i.e. HS-(CH₂)_n-X⁻ supported on a metal surface) allows the nucleation and growth of oriented calcite crystals and provides opportunities to study the formation of inorganic crystals assisted by organic molecules. We have successfully crystallized calcite crystals on different SAMs in the presence of additives such as proteins and/or ions in solution, and found correlations between the orientations of crystals to their final shapes, sizes and morphologies. We report here our experimental results demonstrating how underlying organic molecules along with inorganic additives can control and mold the final shape, size and morphology of calcium carbonate crystals.