title: Synthesis of stable ACC using mesoporous silica gel as a support.
abstract: Stable amorphous calcium carbonate supported by mesoporous silica gel was successfully synthesized. The silica gel support is prepared through the hydrolytic polycondensation of ethyl silicate under suitable conditions. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) observations reveal that the morphology of the products is branched with cruciform-like and flower-like structure. Raman spectroscopic analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation of the products confirm the combination of stable amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) nanoparticles and mesoporous silica gel. A possible growth mechanism for the branched structure has been proposed. Results indicate potential application of this work to ACC storage, crystal engineering, biomimetic synthesis, etc.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Shanda Nanlu Rd No.27, Jinan, Shandong Province 250100, China.
authors.forename: Fen
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: Shandong Institute of Supervision and Inspection on Product Quality, Jinan 250100, China.
authors.forename: Liang Guang
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Shanda Nanlu Rd No.27, Jinan, Shandong Province 250100, China.
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Shanda Nanlu Rd No.27, Jinan, Shandong Province 250100, China.
authors.forename: Xian Gang
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Shanda Nanlu Rd No.27, Jinan, Shandong Province 250100, China.
authors.forename: Xiao Bo
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: Hu
keywords: Amorphous materials; Calcium carbonate; Nanoparticles; Silica gel