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Reversed Crystal Growth: Implications for Crystal Engineering
Author(s) -
Zhou Wuzong
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.200904320
Subject(s) - crystal growth , materials science , crystal (programming language) , crystallization , zeolite , core (optical fiber) , crystal engineering , analcime , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , nanoparticle , crystallography , crystal structure , composite material , chemistry , organic chemistry , computer science , supramolecular chemistry , engineering , programming language , catalysis
Abstract The discovery of reversed crystal growth routes in zeolite analcime and zeolite A implies that crystal growth does not always follow the classic theory established 100 years ago. Aggregation of nanoparticles may dominate in the early stages of crystal growth, followed by surface crystallization, and then extension from surface to core of the disordered aggregates. A perfect polyhedral morphology can be developed in a thin surface crystalline layer of a particle with a disordered core. Evidence of such a novel crystal growth phenomenon can be also found in many other materials. This article highlights the recent achievements in this topic, which might have a significant impact on crystal engineering, materials science, and mineralogy.