title: Mimicking the biomineralization of aragonite (calcium carbonate) using reverse-micelles under ambient conditions.
abstract: Reverse micelles have been used, for the first time, to mimic the conditions suitable for the low-temperature (40 degrees C) synthesis of the high temperature and high pressure orthorhombic phase of calcium carbonate (aragonite) normally crystallizing in the sea as abalone shells and as natural pearls. The aragonite phase undergoes morphological changes under higher temperatures with long Y-junctions (at 40 degrees C) to shorter rod-like structures (at 85 degrees C). Pure calcite is obtained at higher reaction temperature. At a lower temperature (5 degrees C) homogeneous and monodisperse spheres of vaterite is obtained. The spherical particles after longer aging (168 h) aggregate to form nanorods and the self assembly is clearly seen at various stages by electron microscopic images.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India.
authors.forename: Ashok K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Ganguli
authors.forename: Jahangeer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Sonalika
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vaidya
authors.forename: Tokeer
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ahmad
mesh_terms: D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000737:chemistry*; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008823:Micelles; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008823:Micelles; D002119:Calcium Carbonate