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Crystal formation in tetracyanoquinodimethane on the nanoscale: polymorphism and progression of self-assembly

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 July 2011

Maki Nishida  and
Edward R. Van Keuren
Maki Nishida
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia 20057
Edward R. Van Keuren*
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia 20057
*
Address all correspondence to Edward R. Van Keuren at[email protected]
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Abstract

Molecules self-assembling in solution may pass through multiple phases and morphologies before reaching a thermodynamically stable state. Here we demonstrated this effect in tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), an organic molecule often used as an electron acceptor in charge transfer complex compounds. We showed that it self-assembles in a wide range of crystal habits, from nanocoils to polyhedral crystals. Scanning electron microscopy imaging on freeze-dried samples revealed the crystal growth of TCNQ starting from seed-shaped nucleation sites, progressing through flower-like structures and finally forming polyhedral micro-crystals. These results are supplemented by absorption spectroscopy as well as x-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) characterization of a powder sample.

Type
Rapid Communications
Information
MRS Communications , Volume 1 , Issue 1 , November 2011 , pp. 7 - 11
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2011

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