TEMPLATE INDUCED CRYSTALLIZATION OF BIOMINERALS ON SELF-ASSEMBLED MONOLAYERS OF ALKYLTHIOLS

We have studied the templated crystallization of the three polymorphs of calcium carbonate on self-assembled monolayers of omega-substituted alkylthiols on gold surfaces. Our interest has been to model biominer alization processes by examining the effect of structured organic temp lates on heterogeneous nucleation at the inorganic-organic interphase. The crystallization of the three polymorphs was carried out from solu tion at two different temperatures. The crystals that were formed on t he surface were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Phase qua ntification was achieved through Rietveld analysis of the X-ray diffra ction profiles. This study provides significant clues on factors that affect such templated crystallization. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.