Template-associated crystallization of organically modified CaCO3 via dual-membrane double migration technique: impact of voltage and temperature
Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review
Contributors
Abstract
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) is of great interest when considering it as a biomaterial or biomaterial additive due to its high capability to release calcium ions. It is interesting to explore the synthesis of template-associated CaCO3 using a biomimetic approach to facilitate its use in tissue-engineered scaffolds that follow biological models. For this reason, we designed a setup for the growth of CaCO3 crystals on an organic template molecule, denatured collagen (gelatin). The experiments used a modified double migration technique designed to facilitate ion migration within the template molecule as a gel barrier (layer). The setup involved two reservoirs where ions were guided into the gelatin layer under the influence of an applied voltage. The process was further optimized by systematically varying both the temperature and applied voltage. Within the layer, the ions undergo mineralization, resulting in the formation of CaCO3 polymorphs. The findings indicate that the process of CaCO3 mineralization on organic template molecules was significantly influenced by temperature and voltage. The optimal conditions for CaCO3 formation were achieved under influence of voltage at 1 V. The selected temperatures for the mineralization were 4 ⁰C, 20 °C (room temperature), and 50 °C. It was found that low temperatures favour calcite formation, while at 50 °C, all three polymorphs, calcite, vaterite, and aragonite, were observed. This shows that controlled temperature and voltage-driven ion migration can be employed to tailor the crystallization of CaCO3 in the presence of the organic template molecule, enabling the synthesis of biomimetic minerals.
Details
| Original language | English |
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| Article number | 139 |
| Journal | Discover Materials |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 22 Jul 2025 |
| Peer-reviewed | Yes |
External IDs
| Scopus | 105011293711 |
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Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Keywords
- Biomimetic approach, Biomineralization, Calcium carbonate, Double diffusion, Gelatin