Template mediated crystal engineering

The syntemporal use of both soluble one dimensional templates and insoluble two dimensional templates were investigated. Soluble solution additives were used to initiate the programmed habit modification of inorganic and organic crystals. Selective adsorption of the additive onto the specific crystal faces resulted to the modification of the growth of crystals nucleated under the compressed surfactant monolayers. The procedure facilitates the growth of crystalline solids to favor unique crystallographic morphologies.