Morphology Control of Organic/Inorganic Hybrids through the Macromolecular Templating : Self-Organization Imaging of Calcium Carbonate

Abstract

Organic/inorganic hybrid materials can exhibit the functions present in both organic and inorganic materials. Biominerals such as nacre of shells, teeth, and bones are organic/inorganic hybrids with complex structures that possess high functionality. Materials scientists can obtain ideas from the structures, properties, and formation processes of biominerals for creating synthetic, biomimetic materials. We believe that these materials have great potential as new functional materials. This article highlights bioinspired synthetic approaches to the development of organic/CaCO₃ hybrids using macromolecular templates.