Calcite has the capability to interact with a wide variety of molecules. This usually induces changes in shape and morphology of crystals. Here, this process was investigated using sheets of graphene–biomolecule adducts. They were prepared and made dispersible in water through the exfoliation of graphite by tip sonication in the presence tryptophan or N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. The crystallization of calcium carbonate in the presence of these additives was obtained by the vapor diffusion method and only calcite formed. The analysis of the microscopic observations showed that the graphene–biomolecule adducts affected shape and morphology of rhombohedral 10.4 faced calcite crystals, due to their stabilization of additional hk.0 faces. The only presence of the biomolecule affected minimally shape and morphology of calcite crystals, highlighting the key role of the graphene sheets as 2D support for the adsorption of the biomolecules.
Calvaresi, M., Di Giosia, M., Ianiro, A., Valle, F., Fermani, S., Polishchuk, I., et al. (2017). Morphological changes of calcite single crystals induced by graphene–biomolecule adducts. JOURNAL OF CRYSTAL GROWTH, 457, 356-361 [10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2016.07.005].
Morphological changes of calcite single crystals induced by graphene–biomolecule adducts
CALVARESI, MATTEO;DI GIOSIA, MATTEO;IANIRO, ALESSANDRO;VALLE, FRANCESCO;FERMANI, SIMONA;FALINI, GIUSEPPE
2017
Abstract
Calcite has the capability to interact with a wide variety of molecules. This usually induces changes in shape and morphology of crystals. Here, this process was investigated using sheets of graphene–biomolecule adducts. They were prepared and made dispersible in water through the exfoliation of graphite by tip sonication in the presence tryptophan or N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. The crystallization of calcium carbonate in the presence of these additives was obtained by the vapor diffusion method and only calcite formed. The analysis of the microscopic observations showed that the graphene–biomolecule adducts affected shape and morphology of rhombohedral 10.4 faced calcite crystals, due to their stabilization of additional hk.0 faces. The only presence of the biomolecule affected minimally shape and morphology of calcite crystals, highlighting the key role of the graphene sheets as 2D support for the adsorption of the biomolecules.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
