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Crystal Growth of Calcium Carbonate in Hydrogels as a Model of Biomineralization
Author(s) -
AsenathSmith Emily,
Li Hanying,
Keene Ellen C.,
Seh Zhi Wei,
Estroff Lara A.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201200300
Subject(s) - biomineralization , self healing hydrogels , materials science , calcium carbonate , chemical engineering , composite number , crystal (programming language) , nanotechnology , matrix (chemical analysis) , composite material , polymer chemistry , computer science , engineering , programming language
In recent years, the prevalence of hydrogel‐like organic matrices in biomineralization has gained attention as a route to synthesizing a diverse range of crystalline structures. Here, examples of hydrogels in biological, as well as synthetic, bio‐inspired systems are discussed. Particular attention is given to understanding the physical versus chemical effects of a broad range of hydrogel matrices and their role in directing polymorph selectivity and morphological control in the calcium carbonate system. Finally, recent data regarding hydrogel‐matrix incorporation into the growing crystals is discussed and a mechanism for the formation of these single‐crystal composite materials is presented.