Control of Crystal Nucleation and Growth of Calcium Carbonate by Synthetic Substrates

Abstract

Construction of organic−inorganic hybrid materials with controlled mineralization analogous to those produced by nature is now of current interest for both organic and inorganic chemists to understand the mechanism of the natural biomineralization process as well as to seek industrial and technological applications. This review provides a general survey of recent research on control of crystal nucleation and growth of calcium carbonate by synthetic substrates from the viewpoint of organic and polymer chemistry. Model systems in which low-molecular-weight, linear polymeric, and dendritic organic additives are used to study the effect of molecular properties such as charge and functionality on inorganic crystallization are providing insights into the possible mechanisms operating in biology. To probe the organic−inorganic interface and resolve some of the molecular events mediating template-directed crystal nucleation and growth, a simple model surface, that is, compressed monolayers at the air/water interf...