The modulation of collagen on crystal morphology of calcium carbonate

• Published in: Journal of crystal growth 2002-07, Vol.242 (1), p.239-244
• Main Authors: Shen, F.H, Feng, Q.L, Wang, C.M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A1. Biomineralization; B1. Calcium compounds; B1. Collagen; Bioinorganic chemistry; Calcium compounds; Chemistry; Collagen; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Growth from solutions; Inorganic chemistry and origins of life; Materials science; Methods of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth; Morphology; Physics; Precipitation (chemical); Scanning electron microscopy; Theory and models of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth, crystal morphology and orientation; X ray diffraction analysis
• ISSN: 0022-0248; 1873-5002
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-0248(02)01376-3

The modulation function of proteins was studied during biomineralization in vitro. Morphological development of calcium carbonate precipitation in collagen solutions at different concentrations has been examined using scanning electron microscope. X-ray diffraction is used to determine the polymorph of calcium carbonate crystals. Its data indicate that only calcite crystals are formed. The experimental results also show that the calcite growth is more and more inhibited as collagen is increasing in concentration. A simple crystal model is employed to explain these phenomena. Different crystal planes with different affinities to collagen play a crucial role in changing the morphology of calcite crystals.