Alginate hydrogel-mediated crystallization of calcium carbonate

• Published in: Journal of solid state chemistry 2011-05, Vol.184 (5), p.1008-1015
• Main Authors: Ma, Yufei, Feng, Qingling
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alginate hydrogel; ALGINATES; ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS; Biomineralization mechanism; CALCITE; Calcium carbonate; CALCIUM CARBONATES; CALCIUM COMPOUNDS; CALCIUM IONS; CARBON COMPOUNDS; CARBONATE MINERALS; CARBONATES; CHARGED PARTICLES; CHEMICAL ANALYSIS; COLLOIDS; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; CRYSTALLIZATION; DISPERSIONS; Equations of state, phase equilibria, and phase transitions; Exact sciences and technology; GELS; General studies of phase transitions; GRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS; HYDROGELS; In vitro study; INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; IONS; Materials science; Methods of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth; MINERALIZATION; MINERALS; MORPHOLOGY; NUCLEATION; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS; Physics; QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS; Roughness; Solid-solid transitions; Specific phase transitions; Theory and models of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth, crystal morphology and orientation; THERMAL ANALYSIS; THERMAL GRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS; Thermogravimetric analysis
• ISSN: 0022-4596; 1095-726X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2011.03.008

We documented a specific method for combining calcium ions and alginate molecules slowly and continuously in the mineralization system for the purpose of understanding the mediating function of alginate on the crystallization of calcium carbonate. The alginate was involved in the nucleation and the growth process of CaCO 3. The crystal size, morphology and roughness of crystal surface were significantly influenced by the type of the alginate, which could be accounted for by the length of the G blocks in alginate. A combination of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis showed that there were the chemical interactions between the alginate and the mineral phase. This strategic approach revealed the biologically controlled CaCO 3 mineralization within calcium alginate hydrogels via the selective nucleation and the confined crystallization of CaCO 3. The results presented here could contribute to the understanding of the mineralization process in hydrogel systems. Schematic illustration of the growth of calcite aggregates with different morphologies obtained from (a) Low G alginate gels and (b) High G alginate gels. [Display omitted] ► We use a specific method for combining calcium ions and alginate molecules slowly and continuously in the mineralization system to understand the mediating function of alginate on the crystallization of CaCO 3 crystals. ► The crystal size, morphology and crystal surface roughness are influenced by the length of G blocks in alginate. There are chemical interactions between the alginate and the mineral phase. ► We propose a potential mechanism of CaCO 3 crystallization within High G and Low G calcium alginate hydrogel.