title: Molecular recognition controls the organization of mixed self-organized bis-urea-based mineralization templates for CaCO(3).
abstract: To investigate the role and importance of nondirectional electrostatic interactions in mineralization, we explored the use of Langmuir monolayers in which the charge density can be tuned using supramolecular interactions. It is demonstrated that, in mixed Langmuir monolayers of bis-ureido surfactants containing oligo(ethylene oxide) and ammonium head groups associated with matching or nonmatching spacers between the two urea groups, the organization is controlled by molecular recognition. These different organizations of the molecules lead to different nucleation behavior in the mineralization of calcium carbonate. The formation of modified calcite and vaterite crystals was induced selectively by different phases of mixed monolayers, and they were characterized by SEM, TEM, and SAED. To understand the influence of the mixed Langmuir monolayers on the crystallization process, we studied the mixtures by means of (pi-A) isotherms and Brewster angle microscopy observations. Infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy experiments were also performed on Langmuir-Schaefer films. From these results, we conclude that the local organization of the two systems discussed here gives rise to differences in both charge density and flexibility that together determine not only polymorph selection and the nucleation face but also the morphology of the resulting crystals.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry and Department of Polymer Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Benoît P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Pichon
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cantin
authors.forename: Maarten M J
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Smulders
authors.forename: Matthijn R J
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Vos
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chebotareva
authors.forename: Daniela C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Popescu
authors.forename: Otto
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: van  Asselen
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Perrot
authors.forename: Rint
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sijbesma
authors.forename: Nico A J M
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Sommerdijk
mesh_terms: D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010316:Particle Size; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D014508:Urea / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D014508:Urea; D002119:Calcium Carbonate