Molecular design based on recognition at inorganic surfaces

Abstract

MOLECULAR recognition at inorganic surfaces has the potential to provide control over crystal growth processes. For organic surfaces, molecules that influence crystallization^1–3 can be derived by rational modification of host molecules to give the stereochemistry required by the surface structure. This approach is of little use for inorganic systems, however, because the relatively simple stereochemistries of the surfaces and ions concerned allow little scope for similar manipulation. Previous work^4–6, therefore, has been essentially phenomenological. Here we show that a detailed understanding of recognition processes at inorganic surfaces can nevertheless lead to the rational design of surface-active molecules. We have used crystal morphological characteristics to deduce the nature of the surface binding sites of diphosphonates on barium sulphate crystals, and have thereby been able to design new surface-active molecules with improved efficacy.