Fractal structures of Zn5(OH)8(NO3)2•2H2O with a good orientation were fabricated at air-liquid interface by a novel method, in which, a behenic acid (BA) Langmuir monolayer was used as the biomineralization template, and ammonia vapor diffusion was introduced to provide an addition of kinetic control. The surface morphology and crystallinity of the specimens were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The driving force in the fractal growth was investigated by the π-A curve studies, and the process and mechanism of fractal growth were discussed in detail. It was suggested that the presence of the BA Langmuir monolayer was responsible for the good orientation of the specimens, and the kinetically controlled diffusion of ammonia at the air-liquid interface provided a driving force for the fractal growth. This research may provide a feasible method to synthesize a series of specially structural inorganic materials.

Key words: Langmuir monolayer, kinetic control, fractal structure