Self‐Organization of Oriented Calcium Carbonate/Polymer Composites: Effects of a Matrix Peptide Isolated from the Exoskeleton of a Crayfish

Abstract

Gone fishing: Unidirectionally oriented CaCO3 crystalline films have been prepared on chitin matrices in the presence of calcification‐associated peptide (CAP‐1), which was isolated from the exoskeleton of the red swamp crayfish. The interactions of CAP‐1 with the matrix and the acidic nature of the peptide lead to a filmlike assembly of CaCO3 nanocrystals through transformation of amorphous calcium carbonate (see picture).

Fabrication of EuF3‐Mesocrystals in a Gel Matrix

“…A large number of examples of ordered macromolecular structures are also known in the world of biomacromolecules. Mesocrystal formation along a pre-structured organic matrix seems to be especially valid in biomineralization processes, as could also be demonstrated by biomimetic mineralization experiments [21][22][23][24][25] . Typical examples for a matrix-mediated nanoparticle growth are the formation and growth of bones as well as the growth of nacre [25][26][27] .…”

Bio-inspired synthesis of polymer–inorganic nanocomposite materials in mild aqueous systems

“…[28][29][30] The crayfish exoskeleton is a Bio-inspired polymer-inorganic composites A Sugawara-Narutaki fascinating biomineral because of its remarkable mechanical properties. It consists mainly of chitin/protein microfibrils and CaCO 3 (calcite and ACC).…”

“…33 Calcite thin films form in the presence of CAP-1 (3.0 Â 10 À3 wt%) on a chitin matrix. 28 The thin film is composed of nanocrystals with their c-axes oriented unidirectionally (Figures 5b-d). Real-time observation of CaCO 3 crystallization by polarizing optical microscopy drove us to speculate that the oriented film forms via amorphous-tocrystalline transformation.…”

“…Real-time observation of CaCO 3 crystallization by polarizing optical microscopy drove us to speculate that the oriented film forms via amorphous-tocrystalline transformation. Comparable experiments using recombinant peptides and synthetic peptide fragments of CAP-1 reveal the role of each CAP-1 domain: 28,29 (1) rCAP-1, where the 70th pS is replaced with Ser, also gives oriented CaCO 3 thin films in which primary particle size (that of the nanocrystals comprising the thin film) increases. pS has a stronger inhibitory effect on CaCO 3 crystallization than does Ser and thus might stabilize ACC.…”

Self-organization of hollow-cone carbonate crystals through molecular control with an acid organic polymer

“…Kato and co-workers have reported that the cooperative effects of organic macromolecules facilitate the formation of organic/inorganic composites. [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] The goal of the present study is the development of rational molecular-control approaches for the direction of crystal growth, as observed in biomineralization.…”