title: Experimental techniques for the growth and characterization of silica biomorphs and silica gardens.
abstract: Silica biomorphs and silica gardens are canonical examples of precipitation phenomena yielding self-assembled nanocrystalline composite materials with outstanding properties in terms of morphology and texture. Both types of structures form spontaneously in alkaline environments and rely on simple, and essentially similar, chemistry. However, the underlying growth processes are very sensitive to a range of experimental parameters, distinct preparation procedures, and external conditions. In this chapter, we report detailed protocols for the synthesis of these extraordinary biomimetic materials and identify critical aspects as well as advantages and disadvantages of different approaches. Furthermore, modifications of established standard procedures are reviewed and discussed with respect to their benefit for the control over morphogenesis and the reproducibility of the experiments in both cases. Finally, we describe currently used techniques for the characterization of these fascinating structures and devise promising ways to analyze their growth behavior and formation mechanisms in situ and as a function of time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany; Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. Electronic address: matthias.kellermeier@uni-konstanz.de.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kellermeier
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Glaab
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Melero-García
authors.forename: Juan Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: García-Ruiz
mesh_terms: D001464:Barium / Q000737:chemistry; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D002254:Carbonates / Q000737:chemistry; D003460:Crystallization; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D012996:Solutions
chemical_list: D002254:Carbonates; D020100:Hydrogels; D012996:Solutions; D001464:Barium; C006685:barium carbonate; D012822:Silicon Dioxide
keywords: Barium carbonate; Biomimetic materials; Biomineralization; Biomorphs; Chemical gardens; Crystallization; Hydrogels; Morphogenesis; Nanocomposites; Silica