Strong water-mediated friction asymmetry and surface dynamics of zwitterionic solids at ambient conditions: L-alanine as a case study

J. J. Segura; A. Verdaguer; L. Garzn; E. Barrena; C. Ocal; J. Fraxedas

doi:10.1063/1.3571453

Strong water-mediated friction asymmetry and surface dynamics of zwitterionic solids at ambient conditions: L-alanine as a case study

J. J. Segura, A. Verdaguer, L. Garzn, E. Barrena, C. Ocal, J. Fraxedas

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Abstract

Water molecules strongly interact with freshly cleaved (011) surfaces of L-alanine single crystals at low relative humidity (below 10) promoting diffusion of L-alanine molecules. Species mobility is enhanced above ∼40 leading to the formation of two-dimensional islands with long-range order through Ostwald ripening. Scanning force microscopy experiments reveal that both, islands and terraces, are identical in nature (composition and crystallographic structure) but a relevant friction asymmetry appearing upon water-surface interaction evidences that orientation dependent properties exist between them at the molecular level. We interpret this observation as due to water incorporation in the topmost surface crystal structure. Eventually, for high humidity values, surface dissolution and roughening occur. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.

Original language	English
Journal	Journal of Chemical Physics
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3571453
State	Published - 28 Mar 2011
Externally published	Yes

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title = "Strong water-mediated friction asymmetry and surface dynamics of zwitterionic solids at ambient conditions: L-alanine as a case study",

abstract = "Water molecules strongly interact with freshly cleaved (011) surfaces of L-alanine single crystals at low relative humidity (below 10) promoting diffusion of L-alanine molecules. Species mobility is enhanced above ∼40 leading to the formation of two-dimensional islands with long-range order through Ostwald ripening. Scanning force microscopy experiments reveal that both, islands and terraces, are identical in nature (composition and crystallographic structure) but a relevant friction asymmetry appearing upon water-surface interaction evidences that orientation dependent properties exist between them at the molecular level. We interpret this observation as due to water incorporation in the topmost surface crystal structure. Eventually, for high humidity values, surface dissolution and roughening occur. {\textcopyright} 2011 American Institute of Physics.",

author = "Segura, {J. J.} and A. Verdaguer and L. Garzn and E. Barrena and C. Ocal and J. Fraxedas",

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T1 - Strong water-mediated friction asymmetry and surface dynamics of zwitterionic solids at ambient conditions: L-alanine as a case study

AU - Segura, J. J.

AU - Verdaguer, A.

AU - Garzn, L.

AU - Barrena, E.

AU - Ocal, C.

AU - Fraxedas, J.

PY - 2011/3/28

Y1 - 2011/3/28

N2 - Water molecules strongly interact with freshly cleaved (011) surfaces of L-alanine single crystals at low relative humidity (below 10) promoting diffusion of L-alanine molecules. Species mobility is enhanced above ∼40 leading to the formation of two-dimensional islands with long-range order through Ostwald ripening. Scanning force microscopy experiments reveal that both, islands and terraces, are identical in nature (composition and crystallographic structure) but a relevant friction asymmetry appearing upon water-surface interaction evidences that orientation dependent properties exist between them at the molecular level. We interpret this observation as due to water incorporation in the topmost surface crystal structure. Eventually, for high humidity values, surface dissolution and roughening occur. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.

AB - Water molecules strongly interact with freshly cleaved (011) surfaces of L-alanine single crystals at low relative humidity (below 10) promoting diffusion of L-alanine molecules. Species mobility is enhanced above ∼40 leading to the formation of two-dimensional islands with long-range order through Ostwald ripening. Scanning force microscopy experiments reveal that both, islands and terraces, are identical in nature (composition and crystallographic structure) but a relevant friction asymmetry appearing upon water-surface interaction evidences that orientation dependent properties exist between them at the molecular level. We interpret this observation as due to water incorporation in the topmost surface crystal structure. Eventually, for high humidity values, surface dissolution and roughening occur. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.

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Strong water-mediated friction asymmetry and surface dynamics of zwitterionic solids at ambient conditions: L-alanine as a case study

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