COLL 337 |
| In this work, we characterize the internal structure of calcite crystals grown in an agarose hydrogel and show that the gel-grown calcite crystals, like biogenic calcite crystals, incorporate the organic matrix. The gel fibers are uniformly distributed within the crystals, without changing the regular rhombohedral morphology of calcite crystals. Etching of the gel-grown crystals with distilled water reveals an interpenetrating network of gel fibers and crystalline material. TEM examination of microtomed slices shows directly the porous internal structures of the crystals. Both electron-back scattered diffraction (EBSD) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) demonstrate that the structures are single crystals of calcite. We are currently investigating the mechanism of occlusion and the structure and mechanical properties of the composite material. This work provides an in vitro platform to study the biomineralization of calcite and a potential approach to fabricate single crystals coupled with a large surface area. |
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Polymer-Nanoparticle Systems: Theory, Simulation, Experiments
2:00 PM-5:00 PM, Tuesday, April 8, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. 227, Oral
Division of Colloid & Surface Chemistry |