Comparison of hydration structure formed on organic crystal surfaces measured by frequency modulation atomic force microscopy

Abstract

Organic molecule crystalline materials have widely been utilized for various applications. Controlling their crystallization and morphology is important for improving their performance and functionality. We have been investigating fundamental mechanisms of crystal growth process of organic molecules from a view point of hydration structure formed at an interface between a crystal surface and a solution. In this review, we introduce our recent studies on comparison of hydration structure between organic crystal polymorphs and between organic crystal planes measured by frequency modulation atomic force microscopy (FM-AFM) combined with three-dimensional atomic force microscopy (3D-AFM), discussing the relationship of hydration structure with crystal growth process.