Effect of the Growth Conditions on Organic Crystals with Rare Earth Ions and 1,10-Phenanthroline

Using a simple solution growth technique, we grow crystals with phenanthroline as a ligand and various rare earth ions: thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), gadolinium (Gd), lanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd), europium (Eu), and erbium (Er). We then selected the composition that forms thin plates with well-defined shapes, Er(NO₃)Phen₂, and explored the effects of various conditions on crystal formation and growth, including temperature regime, light illumination, and substrates where the crystals are formed and grown. The composition and local environment strongly affect the size and shape of microcrystals and substrate coverage. The use of gold substrates significantly enhances the crystal growing process. Elevated temperatures negatively affect the crystal growth.