The whole range of organic-inorganic hybrid materials are generally molded into specifically designed devices with fascinating properties that are precisely controlled. The mimicking of the processes involved in biomineralization may provide new approaches to the fabrication of specialized organic-inorganic hybrid materials. Recently, researchers found that the control over polymorphism, crystallographic orientation, and crystal organization are paramount in determining the properties of hybrid materials. In this article, the biomimetic synthesis of calcium carbonate, the most abundant biomineral, has been the main focus.

Biomimetic CaCO3 mineralization using designer molecules and interfaces

Vaterite mesocrystals with hexagonal morphology and uniform size have been successfully synthesized in the presence of a N-trimethylammonium derivative of hydroxyethyl cellulose via aggregation-mediated crystallization using a simple gas-diffusion method. The uniform hexagonal plates display sharp facets and edges, even though they are formed by the aggregation of nanocrystals. The results demonstrate that each vaterite plate can be explained as consisting of aggregates of nanoparticles that share the same three-dimensional orientation. A mechanism for the formation of hexagonal vaterite mesocrystals made of primary nanoparticles and hexagonal units is also presented. An understanding of the mesoscale transformation process will be helpful in controlling the aggregation-driven formation of complex higher-order structured materials and will provide new insights into biomineralization mechanisms. For example, the spines of sea urchins can be discussed within the framework of the mesocrystal concept. This study could provide an additional tool for designing advanced materials and could be used for the synthesis of more complex crystalline three-dimensional structures.

Uniform hexagonal plates of vaterite CaCO3 mesocrystals formed by biomimetic mineralization

Structure and reactivity of the calcite–water interface

Crystalline hexagonal-shaped superstructures of calcium carbonate, synthesized in the presence of ammonia, are shown to be assembled by a three-dimensional oriented attachment of vaterite nanoparticles. This unusual crystallographic lock-in mechanism enables the formation of complicated rounded structures with a crystallographic orientation from nanosized building blocks, which has so far only been found for transition metal systems.

Superstructures of Calcium Carbonate Crystals by Oriented Attachment

https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00485512/document

Process integration, modelling and optimisation for energy saving and pollution reduction

http://www.associationavh.com/fr/documentation/Overview%20of%20the%20environmental%20problems%20in%20beet%20sugar%20processing.pdf

Overview of the environmental problems in beet sugar processing: possible solutions

Calcite crystals were nucleated and grown from supersaturated aqueous solutions in the presence of variable concentrations of lithium The diagram of supersaturation vs [Li+]/[Ca2+] concentration r

Morphology of Calcite (CaCO3) Crystals Growing from Aqueous Solutions in the Presence of Li+ Ions. Surface Behavior of the {0001} Form

The {1 0 4} cleavage rhombohedron of calcite: theoretical equilibrium properties

Fundamental Aspects of Equilibrium and Crystallization Kinetics

Single microcrystals of Li 2CO 3 (zabuyelite) were observed on {0001} calcite surfaces, epitaxially grown and oriented along the directions of calcite, the {001} form of zabuyelite being by far the best candidate to form the epitaxial interface. In addition, 3-fold pseudotwins of zabuyelite were observed in epitaxy on the cleavage {1014} rhombohedron surface of calcite. The new twinning law is described along with the most probable zabuyelite/calcite interface. Further, a general rule is proposed, concerning the conservation of the orientation of the carbonate groups across the epitaxial interfaces and twin boundaries in carbonates.

G. Sgualdino

Papers

Overview of the environmental problems in beet sugar processing: possible solutions

Morphology of Calcite (CaCO3) Crystals Growing from Aqueous Solutions in the Presence of Li+ Ions. Surface Behavior of the {0001} Form

The {1 0 4} cleavage rhombohedron of calcite: theoretical equilibrium properties

Fundamental Aspects of Equilibrium and Crystallization Kinetics

Single and Twinned Li2CO3 Crystals (Zabuyelite) Epitaxially Grown on {0001} and {10-14} Forms of CaCO3 (Calcite) Crystals