Atomic force microscopy study on surface morphology of {0 0 1} faces of [MnHg(SCN)4(H2O)2]·2C4H9NO crystals

The growth morphologies of the {0 0 1} faces of [MnHg(SCN)4(H2O)2]·2C4H9NO (MMTWD) crystals grown at 17 °C at a supersaturation of σ = 0.5 have been investigated by ex situ atomic force microscopy (AFM).Various spiral growth hillocks are described and discussed. Surface morphology changes as a result of dissolving the surface materials by absorbed moisture in air are also detected. The microcrystals are suggested to be as a result of the reconstruction of amorphous aggregates on the surfaces.