Fluid-flow-templated self-assembly of calcium carbonate tubes in the laboratory and in biomineralization: The tubules of the watering-pot shells, Clavagelloidea. (1st October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cardoso, Silvana S.S.; Cartwright, Julyan H.E.; Checa, Antonio G.; Sainz-Díaz, C. Ignacio
• Is Part Of: Acta biomaterialia. Volume 43(2016)
• Page Start: 338
• Page End: 347
• Publication Date: 2016-10-01
• Subjects: Calcium carbonate -- Self-assembly -- Biomineral -- Mollusc -- Chemical garden -- Biomimetics -- Chemobrionics; Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2016.07.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-7061

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Abstract: We show with laboratory experiments that self-assembled mineral tube formation involving precipitation around a templating jet of fluid — a mechanism well-known in the physical sciences from the tubular growth of so-called chemical gardens — functions with carbonates, and we analyse the microstructures and compositions of the precipitates. We propose that there should exist biological examples of fluid-flow-templated tubes formed from carbonates. We present observational and theoretical modelling evidence that the complex structure of biomineral calcium carbonate tubules that forms the 'rose' of the watering-pot shells, Clavagelloidea, may be an instance of this mechanism in biomineralization. We suggest that this is an example of self-organization and self-assembly processes in biomineralization, and that such a mechanism is of interest for the production of tubes as a synthetic biomaterial. Statement of Significance: The work discussed in the manuscript concerns the self-assembly of calcium carbonate micro-tubes and nano-tubes under conditions of fluid flow together with chemical reaction. We present the results of laboratory experiments on tube self-assembly together with theoretical calculations. We show how nature may already be making use of this process in molluscan biomineralization of the so-called watering-pot shells, and we propose that we may be able to take advantage of the formation mechanism to produce synthetic biocompatible micro- and nano-tubes.