Multistep growth mechanism of calcium phosphate in the earliest stage of morphology-controlled biomineralization

Langmuir. 2011 Jun 7;27(11):7077-83. doi: 10.1021/la2006953. Epub 2011 May 13.

Abstract

We studied the effect of surface-functional-group position on precipitate morphology in the earliest stage of calcium phosphate biomineralization and determined the detailed mechanism of precipitation starting from nucleation to precipitate growth. The biomineralization template was a β-sheet peptide scaffold prepared by adsorption with carboxyl groups arranged at strict 7 Å intervals. Phosphate was then introduced. Within 10 s, highly ordered embryos of calcium phosphate were formed and confined by a peptide nanofiber pattern. They repeatedly nucleated and dissolved, with the larger embryos absorbing the smaller ones in a clear demonstration of an Ostwald-ripening-like phenomenon, then aggregated in a line pattern, and finally formed highly ordered nanofibers of amorphous calcium phosphate. This multistep growth process constitutes the earliest stage of biomineralization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calcium Phosphates / chemistry*
  • Calcium Phosphates / metabolism*
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Minerals / chemistry*
  • Minerals / metabolism*
  • Molecular Weight
  • Quartz Crystal Microbalance Techniques
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Calcium Phosphates
  • Minerals
  • calcium phosphate