Control of crystal morphology via molecular imprinting

Imprinted polymers were prepared from divinylbenzene and 6-methacrylamidohe xanoic acid as the functional monomer, using calcite crystals of three diff erent morphologies as templates. After template removal voids in the polyme r remained which reflected the size and shape of the template crystals. The use of these imprinted polymers in aqueous supersaturated calcium carbonat e solution resulted in the formation of some crystal objects of unusual mor phology. In the case of spheroidal imprints, the nucleated crystals grow vi a the {104} faces in many directions creating clusters whose surface consis ts of many small rhombohedral crystallites. However, in the case of rhomboh edral imprints, no conflict between crystal growth and the constraints of n ucleation at the polymer surface arises and the new crystals very closely r esemble the templates. (C) 2001 Society of Chemical Industry.