COLL 493 |
| Jennifer A. Swift, Rositza I. Petrova, and Rakesh Patel. Department of Chemistry, Georgetown University, 37th and O Streets NW, Washington, DC 20057 |
| Developing a molecular-scale understanding of crystal nucleation and growth processes is of fundamental importance for materials ranging from metals to small molecules to macromolecules. While gel matrices have been successfully used as a growth medium for many inorganic and macromolecular crystals for many years, little is known about the molecular-level interactions between the crystal and gel during the crystallization process. We are working to elucidate the specific physico-chemical role(s) of the gel during crystal nucleation and growth. Our initial "proof of concept" studies on enantiomorphous salt crystal growth in different chiral hydrogel environments have demonstrated that gel-mediated growth can alter the distribution of enantiomorphs and/or crystal habit. Gel-mediated crystallization may also provide a rational means to separate true enantiomeric mixtures. |
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Chiral Surfaces
Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry |