Title:
Mineralization of CaCO3 in functionalized hydrogel matrices
Project management at the University of Würzburg:
Participating scientists:
Abstract:
The formation of mineral phases in organic matrices is a key feature of natural biomineralization processes. In multicellular organisms e.g. enamel and bone are formed in gel-like extracellular networks. In nacre, the mineral phase as well as the microstructural assembly of the crystalline building blocks are governed by complex interaction of the organic matrix and acidic macromolecules. Much work has been done to understand the influence of key factors such as the microstructure of the growth medium, functional groups within the matrix and the presence of proteins either in solution or adsorbed to the network surface.
To compare the effect of highly polar groups we study the crystallization of CaCO3 within a functionalized hydrogel network. For that pupose, sulfonic acid containing monomers are copolymerized with acrylamide monomers to provide a model system for demonstrating the principles of biomineralization.
Key words:
biomineralization
hydrogels
calcium carbonate
Projekt period: from 04.2001 to 03.2003
Funding institution:
DFG ,Granting date: 15.03.2001
Publications: