Formation of Complex Non-Equilibrium Morphologies of Calcite via Biomimetic Processing

Our biomimetic approach for fabricating organic-inorganic composites with structures similar to biominerals is based on a novel mineralization process, called the Polymer-Induced-Liquid-Precursor (PILP) process. This process enables the deposition of non-equilibrium mineral morphologies of calcite under low-temperature and aqueous-based conditions [1], including patterned thin films of calcite. We have recently found that when a surplus of acidic polymer is added, the patterned mineral films act as a secondary template for directing new crystal outgrowths, which form into complex morphologies of calcite with time, such as fibrous mats and “horsetails”. Two interdependent factors, the polymer and Ca-ion concentration, which change the local solution environment over time, appear to modulate the creation of these different structures. Such observations may provide clues for unraveling the long-standing mystery of how biological systems fabricate their sophisticated and complex morphologies.

From the Spider to the Web: Biomimetic Processing of Protein Polymers and Collagen

The use of electrostatic forces to shape materials processed from solution provides exciting opportunities to enhance material properties by creating new structures and morphologies during processing. In this context we report the formation of nanoscale webs composed of interconnected electrospun polymer fibrils. These nanowebs have been formed from synthetic spider silk, collagen, and denatured collagen when they are electrospun from various concentrations of formic acid. These nanowebs have been characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) in order to characterize their morphology and measure their surface areas.