In this talk, we highlight our work on forming crystalline suberic acid particles from a Collison type. While the α polymorph is formed using several solvents including water and ethanol, particle formation at low concentrations from isopropanol demonstrates the formation of a newly proposed γ polymorph of suberic acid. The formation of the unique structure is differentially identified from the α and β using powder X-ray diffraction (pXRD). Thermogravimetric analysis is further used to demonstrate that the new form is not a solvate. Differential Scanning Calorimetry together with variable temperature pXRD are used to demonstrate that the new polymorph is energetically similar to the α polymorph; however, it transforms to the α polymorph over time at temperatures below the known α/β transition point. The size distributions and impact of solution concentrations are also identified. Finally, we will discuss the broader opportunities/challenges/insights potentially available from using these droplet evaporation methods more commonly used to study atmospheric aerosols in a crystallization context.
Ha, J. M., Hamilton, B. D., Hillmyer, M. A., & Ward, M. D. (2009). Phase behavior and polymorphism of organic crystals confined within nanoscale chambers. Crystal Growth & Design, 9(9), 4766–4777. https://doi.org/10.1021/cg9006185