title: BaCO3 mesocrystals: new morphologies using peptide-polymer conjugates as crystallization modifiers.
abstract: Nanocrystal superstructures of barium carbonate (BaCO(3)) which exhibit unusual morphologies are obtained by the carbon dioxide vapor diffusion technique in the presence of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-eicosa aspartate (PEO-b-Asp(20)). The highly effective bioconjugate acts as a crystal growth modifier over a broad range of concentrations. Instead of commonly observed branched needles, the morphology can be systematically varied along different twinned growth patterns towards well-defined branched dumbbells. Detailed analysis of the crystal substructures with high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) discloses a potential growth mechanism of the superstructures and reveals the role of the polymeric bioconjugate therein.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Colloid Chemistry, Research Campus Golm, D-14424 Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Tongxin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Börner
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cölfen
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Antonietti
mesh_terms: D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D001464:Barium / Q000737:chemistry*; D002254:Carbonates / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods; D008823:Micelles; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D002254:Carbonates; D008823:Micelles; D010455:Peptides; D001464:Barium; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C006685:barium carbonate