Growth morphology of {100} faces of L-arginine phosphate monohydrate single crystals investigated by atomic force microscopy

Morphology of the {100} faces of L-arginine phosphate monohydrate (LAP) single crystal grown at 25degreesC at a supersaturation of 0.32 has been discussed. The rectangular dislocation growth hillocks elongate along the b direction, which manifests the fast growth due to the strong Period Bond Chain (PBC) bonds along this direction. Apart from that, the growth hillocks are consistent with the macro-morphology of the crystal grown at the pH value of about 4.2. The lopsided shapes of the hillocks result from step bunching. Triangular pits are assumed to form during the process of the steps getting across the impurities. The hollow cavities existing on the growth hillocks also elongate along the b direction and they can lead to the formation of other defects such as dislocations.