Molecular Crystal Microcapsules: Formation of Sealed Hollow Chambers via Surfactant-Mediated Growth |
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Authors: | Dr. Fei Tong Wangxiang Li Dr. Zhiwei Li Prof. Imadul Islam Prof. Rabih O. Al-Kaysi Prof. Christopher J. Bardeen |
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Affiliation: | 1. Chemistry Department, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521 USA;2. College of Science and Health Professions-3124, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Science, and King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, 11426 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |
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Abstract: | Hollow organic molecular cocrystals comprised of 9-methylanthracene-1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene (9MA-TCNB) and naphthalene-1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene (NAPH-TCNB) were fabricated using a surfactant-mediated co-reprecipitation method. The crystals exhibit a narrow size distribution that can be easily tuned by varying the concentration of surfactant and incubation temperature. The rectangular crystals possess symmetrical twinned cavities with an estimated storage volume on the order of 10−10 L. An aqueous dye solution can be incorporated into the cavities during crystal growth and stored inside for up to several hours, confirming the sealed nature of the hollow chambers. Our results demonstrate that it is possible to harness non-classical crystal growth to fabricate organic molecular crystals with novel topologies. |
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Keywords: | crystal growth encapsulation fluorescent dye hollow structure surfactants |
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