Crystallization Tips & Tricks

Sample Specifications

A "single" crystal is a solid in which the crystal lattice is continuous and unbroken (containing no grain boundaries) throughout the entire sample. Single crystals for SC-XRD experiments typically have dimensions between 20-500µm, though crystals with dimensions as small as 10µm have been successfully characterized, and crystals larger than a few hundred µm can be cut into more suitably sized pieces.

Good single crystals typically have well-defined faces and are transparent (not cloudy, cracked, or otherwise opaque). They also often rotate plane polarized light. If the plane of polarization is changed continuously as shown in the video, the crystals grow bright then dark or even change colors. To evaluate crystal quality, a microscope with a polarizing lense is available in C330A BNSN.

The following links are useful resources for growing single crystals:

• J. Appl. Cryst. (1989): Crystallization of Low-Molecular-Weight Organic Compounds for X-ray Crystallography
• MIT: Growing Quality Crystals
• NCSU: Growing X-Ray Quality Crystals
• NCSU: Growing Crystals That Will Make Your Crystallographer Happy
• Peter G. Jones: Crystal Growing
• Rochester: How to Grow X-Ray Quality Crystals
• UCLA: Crystal Growing Tutorial
• UofF: Crystal Growing Tips
• UofF: Crystal Growing Tips 2
• Bruker: Growing and Mounting Single Crystals Your Diffractometer Will Treasure
• MSU: Growing and Mounting Crystals Your Instrument Will Treasure