Nonlinear optical characterization of crystal growth of ZIFs for bio-imaging applications

Controlling crystallization by rational intervention based on a priori knowledge of the growth process is a longstanding dream of crystal engineers. The aim of this project is to fully develop nonlinear optical light scattering as a high-throughput characterization technique for studying nucleation and crystal growth in-situ. This platform will then be used to map the evolution of size, shape and structure during crystal growth of one of the most studied categories of MOFs, the ZIF-family. From a fundamental point of view, crystallization of ZIFs is still poorly understood. We will map the influence of process parameters such as concentration, temperature and addition of modulators during nucleation and growth stages. Based on our findings we will finally tune the crystal properties (nanocrystals, noncentrosymmetric) in terms of size and structure for applications as bio-imaging SHG-probes.

Keywords:crystal growth

Disciplines:Chemical crystallography