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Microscopic structure of the polymer-induced liquid precursor for calcium carbonate

Author

Listed:
  • Yifei Xu

    (Eindhoven University of Technology
    Eindhoven University of Technology)

  • Koen C. H. Tijssen

    (Radboud University Nijmegen)

  • Paul H. H. Bomans

    (Eindhoven University of Technology
    Eindhoven University of Technology)

  • Anat Akiva

    (Eindhoven University of Technology
    Eindhoven University of Technology)

  • Heiner Friedrich

    (Eindhoven University of Technology
    Eindhoven University of Technology)

  • Arno P. M. Kentgens

    (Radboud University Nijmegen)

  • Nico A. J. M. Sommerdijk

    (Eindhoven University of Technology
    Eindhoven University of Technology)

Abstract

Many biomineral crystals form complex non-equilibrium shapes, often via transient amorphous precursors. Also in vitro crystals can be grown with non-equilibrium morphologies, such as thin films or nanorods. In many cases this involves charged polymeric additives that form a polymer-induced liquid precursor (PILP). Here, we investigate the CaCO3 based PILP process with a variety of techniques including cryoTEM and NMR. The initial products are 30–50 nm amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) nanoparticles with ~2 nm nanoparticulate texture. We show the polymers strongly interact with ACC in the early stages, and become excluded during crystallization, with no liquid–liquid phase separation detected during the process. Our results suggest that “PILP” is actually a polymer-driven assembly of ACC clusters, and that its liquid-like behavior at the macroscopic level is due to the small size and surface properties of the assemblies. We propose that a similar biopolymer-stabilized nanogranular phase may be active in biomineralization.

Suggested Citation

  • Yifei Xu & Koen C. H. Tijssen & Paul H. H. Bomans & Anat Akiva & Heiner Friedrich & Arno P. M. Kentgens & Nico A. J. M. Sommerdijk, 2018. "Microscopic structure of the polymer-induced liquid precursor for calcium carbonate," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-05006-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05006-w
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    Cited by:

    1. Liang Dong & Yun-Jun Xu & Cong Sui & Yang Zhao & Li-Bo Mao & Denis Gebauer & Rose Rosenberg & Jonathan Avaro & Ya-Dong Wu & Huai-Ling Gao & Zhao Pan & Hui-Qin Wen & Xu Yan & Fei Li & Yang Lu & Helmut , 2022. "Highly hydrated paramagnetic amorphous calcium carbonate nanoclusters as an MRI contrast agent," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Maxim B. Gindele & Sanjay Vinod-Kumar & Johannes Rochau & Daniel Boemke & Eduard Groß & Venkata SubbaRao Redrouthu & Denis Gebauer & Guinevere Mathies, 2024. "Colloidal pathways of amorphous calcium carbonate formation lead to distinct water environments and conductivity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.

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