In situ crystal growth of nanoporous zincophosphate observed by atomic force microscopy

Chem Commun (Camb). 2010 Feb 21;46(7):1047-9. doi: 10.1039/b922257j. Epub 2010 Jan 13.

Abstract

We present the first in situ observations of the growth of a zeotype using atomic force microscopy. The {100} face of sodalite zincophosphate grows by a spiral growth mechanism forming an interlaced spiral pattern. This is caused by the anisotropic growth of sub-steps formed at the dislocation, which is related to the different condensation rates of zinc and phosphorus.