In situ crystal growth of nanoporous zincophosphate observed by atomic force microscopy.

We present the first in situ observations of the growth of a zeotype using atomic force microscopy. The {100} face of sodalite zincophosphate grows by a spiral growth mechanism forming an interlaced spiral pattern. This is caused by the anisotropic growth of sub-steps formed at the dislocation, which is related to the different condensation rates of zinc and phosphorus.