posted on 2014-05-28, 00:00authored byShern-Long Lee, Zhongyi Yuan, Long Chen, Kunal S. Mali, Klaus Müllen, Steven De Feyter
Controlling
crystal polymorphism constitutes a formidable challenge
in contemporary chemistry. Two-dimensional (2D) crystals often provide
model systems to decipher the complications in 3D crystals. In this
contribution, we explore a unique way of governing 2D polymorphism
at the organic liquid–solid interface. We demonstrate that
a directional solvent flow could be used to stabilize crystalline
monolayers of a metastable polymorph. Furthermore, flow fields active
within the applied flow generate millimeter-sized domains of either
polymorph in a controlled and reproducible fashion.