Self-assembly of carbonate-silica colloids: between living and non-living form

Stephen T. Hyde, Anna M. Carnerup, Ann-Kristin Larsson, Andrew G. Christy and Juan Manuel García-Ruiz

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, 2004, vol. 339, issue 1, 24-33

Abstract: We describe self-assembled silica-carbonate aggregates that show a diverse range of morphologies, all of which display complex internal structure, orientational ordering of components, and well-organised, curved global morphologies that bear a strong resemblance to biogenic forms. The internal order is described as a liquid-crystal-like organisation of colloidal particles. We discuss possible causes for the striking morphologies of these inorganic materials, including local nanocrystal packing constraints and global silica membrane templating.

Keywords: Inorganic self-assembly; Liquid crystals; Silica-carbonate aggregates; Biomineralisation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:phsmap:v:339:y:2004:i:1:p:24-33

DOI: 10.1016/j.physa.2004.03.045

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