Atomic force microscopy of the topochemical photopolymerization of diolefin crystals

The formation of regular nanostructures by photopolymerization of three diolefin derivative crystals, P2VB, DSP, and p-CPAEt is investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and known crystal packing data. AFM reveals that the crystal face (100) and (010) of P2VB exhibit volcanoes, whereas (100) and (010) of DSP give floelike structures. The main face and long side face of p-CPAEt give rise to volcanoes. All of those are guided by the crystal structure. Molecular interpretations of the AFM features of P2VB and DSP are given. (C) 1999 American Vacuum Society. [S0734-211X(99)03606-9].