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Hydrogels: Crystal Growth of Calcium Carbonate in Hydrogels as a Model of Biomineralization (Adv. Funct. Mater. 14/2012)
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.201290082
Subject(s) - self healing hydrogels , materials science , biomineralization , crystallite , calcium carbonate , chemical engineering , porosity , crystal growth , crystal (programming language) , matrix (chemical analysis) , composite material , nanotechnology , crystallography , polymer chemistry , metallurgy , chemistry , engineering , programming language , computer science
As reported by Lara A. Estroff and co‐workers on page 2891 , the porous networks formed by hydrogel matrices (freeze‐dried silica gel in the background) provide a versatile medium for crystal growth of a wide range of calcium carbonate structures. Shown from top to bottom are single‐crystal equilibrium morphologies, non‐equilibrium “hopper crystals”, polycrystalline aggregates, and spherulites. In addition, the crystalline products can incorporate the hydrogel matrix forming crystalline composites.