title: An artificial biomineral formed by incorporation of copolymer micelles in calcite crystals.
abstract: Biominerals exhibit morphologies, hierarchical ordering and properties that invariably surpass those of their synthetic counterparts. A key feature of these materials, which sets them apart from synthetic crystals, is their nanocomposite structure, which derives from intimate association of organic molecules with the mineral host. We here demonstrate the production of artificial biominerals where single crystals of calcite occlude a remarkable 13 wt% of 20 nm anionic diblock copolymer micelles, which act as 'pseudo-proteins'. The synthetic crystals exhibit analogous texture and defect structures to biogenic calcite crystals and are harder than pure calcite. Further, the micelles are specifically adsorbed on {104} faces and undergo a change in shape on incorporation within the crystal lattice. This system provides a unique model for understanding biomineral formation, giving insight into both the mechanism of occlusion of biomacromolecules within single crystals, and the relationship between the macroscopic mechanical properties of a crystal and its microscopic structure.
authors: School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors: Yi-Yeoun
authors: YY
authors: Kim
authors: Kathirvel
authors: K
authors: Ganesan
authors: Pengcheng
authors: P
authors: Yang
authors: Alexander N
authors: AN
authors: Kulak
authors: Shirly
authors: S
authors: Borukhin
authors: Sasha
authors: S
authors: Pechook
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: Ribeiro
authors: Roland
authors: R
authors: Kröger
authors: Stephen J
authors: SJ
authors: Eichhorn
authors: Steven P
authors: SP
authors: Armes
authors: Boaz
authors: B
authors: Pokroy
authors: Fiona C
authors: FC
authors: Meldrum
mesh_terms: D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization; D008823:Micelles; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008903:Minerals / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D008823:Micelles; D008903:Minerals; D011108:Polymers; D002119:Calcium Carbonate