Growth Mechanism of Microporous Zincophosphate Sodalite Revealed by In Situ Atomic Force Microscopy

Mark A. Holden, Pablo Cubillas, Martin P. Attfield, James T. Gebbie, Michael W. Anderson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Microporous zincophosphate sodalite crystal growth has been studied in situ by atomic force microscopy. This simple model system permits an in depth investigation of some of the axioms governing crystal growth of nanoporous framework solids in general. In particular, this work reveals the importance of considering the growth of a framework material as the growth of a dense phase material where the framework structure, nonframework cations, and hydrogen-bonded water must all be considered. The roles of the different components of the structure, including the role of strict framework ordering, are disentangled, and all of the growth features, both crystal habit and nanoscopic surface structure, are explained according to a simple set of rules. The work describes, for the first time, both ideal growth and growth leading to defect structures on all of the principal facets of the sodalite structure. Also, the discovery of the presence of anisotropic friction on a framework material is described.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)13066–13073
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume134
Issue number31
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Jul 2012
Externally publishedYes

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