A nacre protein forms mesoscale hydrogels that "hijack" the biomineralization process within a seawater environment. Issue 40 (30th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pendola, Martin; Jain, Gaurav; Davidyants, Anastasia; Huang, Yu-Chieh; Gebauer, Denis; Evans, John Spencer
• Is Part Of: CrystEngComm. Volume 18:Issue 40(2016)
• Page Start: 7675
• Page End: 7679
• Publication Date: 2016-09-30
• Subjects: Crystals -- Periodicals; Crystal growth -- Periodicals; Crystallography -- Periodicals; Cristaux -- Périodiques; Cristaux -- Croissance -- Périodiques; Cristallographie -- Périodiques; 548
• DOI: 10.1039/c6ce01887d
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1466-8033

Abstract

Abstract : Nacre-associated mollusk shell protein hydrogels hijack aragonite formation in a seawater environment. Abstract : We examined the mineralization performance of a nacre protein, AP7, within seawater mineralization assays that form aragonite and magnesium calcite. Under these conditions AP7 forms hydrogel particles that vary in size and complexity depending upon ionic conditions. These hydrogels "hijack" the mineralization process by limiting nucleation in bulk solution and promoting nucleation within the hydrogels.