Oriented crystal growth on organic monolayers

Ordered organic substrates influence the crystallisation of minerals and different crystal morphologies and polymorphs can be stabilised by varying the properties of the substrates. The mechanisms behind this crystallisation control are not always apparent; however in recent years results from molecular modelling studies have led to an increased level of understanding. We present a review of the experimental evidence for crystallisation control by organic self-assembled monolayers and discuss the modelling methods that have been used to study these effects. We give an overview of the contribution modelling has made to the field of mineral crystallisation on organic substrates. The focus is on calcium carbonate because of its importance as a biomineral and, consequently, the large number of experimental and modelling studies that have been performed for this mineral.