WETTING OF A GLASS-SURFACE BY PROTEIN ADSORPTION INDUCES THE CRYSTALLIZATION OF AN AQUEOUS CUPRIC CHLORIDE SOLUTION

The crystallization of cupric chloride on a glass surface gives rise to crystallization patterns only if the glass surface is wettable. The addition of a microquantity of protein promotes this crystallization. The protein is irreversibly adsorbed on the glass surface, and the surface becomes wettable. The crystallization patterns obtained with protein are quite different from those obtained with the pure cupric chloride. These patterns are also dependent on the concentration of protein. © 1992.