Self‐Assembly in Hopper‐Shaped Crystals

Abstract

Hopper shape is a special type of crystal morphology. Hopper‐shaped crystals possess unique properties and show promise in many different applications. The understanding of how the building blocks (atoms, ions, and molecules) assemble into hopper‐shaped crystals and how the environmental factors influence the assembly process is critical to the properties and applications of hopper‐shaped crystals. In this review, the important interfacial instability theories that outline the underlying mechanisms for the formation of hopper‐shaped crystals are discussed. Next, the relevant experimental developments based on three categories of synthetic approaches are discussed: the growth through the control of the solute concentration, the temperature gradient, and the capping agent. At the end of the review, the applications, opportunities, and potential challenges of the hopper‐shaped crystals are discussed.

Growth of hopper-shaped CsPbCl3 crystals and their exciton polariton emission

“…16 These hopper-shaped crystals are unique in morphologies and usually have some associated properties and applications. 19 In this work, we have grown hopper-shaped CsPbCl 3 crystals for the rst time in a solution droplet dripped on a heated substrate and tentatively clarify the growth mechanism. They have double-peaked photoluminescence (PL) spectra, one of which we attributed to the exciton polariton emission in the inelastic exciton-exciton scattering process.…”

“… 16 These hopper-shaped crystals are unique in morphologies and usually have some associated properties and applications. 19 …”

A Contemporary Look at the Polyhedral Shape Instability of Crystals Growing under Conditions of Diffusion‐Limited Supply of Building Material

“…A comprehensive review paper devoted to the growth of hopper crystals was published most recently by Yang et al. [ 10 ] The interest in such crystals is rising because, differing in some properties from compact crystals, the hopper and dendritic crystals are at the heart of some technological applications. Their different properties arise from the difference in the energy state of the crystal surfaces: while polyhedral crystals are mostly surrounded by faces having a dense packing of atoms, ions, or molecules (thus, having minimal surface energy), dendritic and hopper crystals also have high index surfaces of increased surface energy.…”

“…Also, hopper‐shaped noble‐metal nanocrystals have enhanced catalytic ability. [ 10 ] On the other hand, to produce metal powders, electrochemically produced metal dendrites (e.g., copper dendrites) are grinded.…”

Synchronous assembly of chiral skeletal single-crystalline microvessels

“…Concave polyhedral crystals, typically termed “skeletal crystals,” are naturally and synthetically ubiquitous crystal forms that feature intricate morphologies with well-developed crystalline edges and facets instead of a body ( 1 – 3 ). The diffusion-limited growth and resultant intricate morphology are poorly controlled by means of conventional methodologies and are therefore of particular interest in the field of crystal engineering ( 4 – 7 ).…”