Bioinspired hierarchical crystals

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

64 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In the sophisticated architectures of various biominerals, a multilevel hierarchy of lengths from nanometers to millimeters is commonly observed. In this article, superstructures composed of inorganic crystals associated with organic molecules from carbonate-based biominerals were identified and categorized as mesocrystals, which are composed of crystallographically oriented crystals. For the production of hierarchically structured mesocrystals, two strategies using self-organized growth with organic agents in aqueous solution systems were proposed. Arranged structures of micrometric and nanometric units were induced with an insoluble gel matrix and soluble adsorbable organic molecules, respectively. Consequently, bioinspired hierarchical crystals were successfully achieved by combining the matrix and soluble species.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)138-144
Number of pages7
JournalMRS Bulletin
Volume35
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010 Feb
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Materials Science(all)
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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