With this study on KDP, we present an interface
atomic structure determination of a crystal in contact with its growth
solution. Using x-ray diffraction at a third-generation synchrotron radiation
source, the structure of both the {101} and {100} faces has been determined.
We found that the {101} faces are terminated by a layer of K+
ions and not by H2PO4- groups, resolving
a long-standing issue that could not be predicted by theory. This result
leads to an atomic-scale explanation of the influence of metal impurities
on the macroscopic growth morphology.