  Crystal growth behavior of benzoic acid crystals on different surfaces was
examined. The performed experiments documented the existence of very strong
influence introduced by polar surfaces as glass, gelatin, and polyvinyl alcohol
(PVA) on the growth of benzoic acid crystals. These surfaces impose strong
orientation effect resulting in a dramatic reduction of number of faces seen
with x-ray powder diffractions (XPRD). However, scrapping the crystal off the
surface leads to a morphology that is similar to the one observed for bulk
crystallization. The surfaces of low wettability (paraffin) seem to be useful
for preparation of amorphous powders, even for well-crystallizable compounds.
The performed quantum chemistry computations characterized energetic
contributions to stabilization of morphology related faces. It has been
demonstrated, that the dominant face (002) of benzoic acid crystal, growing on
polar surfaces, is characterized by the highest densities of intermolecular
interaction energies determining the highest cohesive properties among all
studied faces. Additionally, the inter-layer interactions, which stand for
adhesive properties, are also the strongest in the case of this face. Thus,
quantum chemistry computations providing detailed description of energetic
contributions can be successfully used for clarification of adhesive and
cohesive nature of benzoic acids crystal faces.
