Characterization and Mimicking of Curving Crystals in Biominerals

Abstract

  Curving fibrous crystals are frequently found in several kinds of biominerals. Here, detailed structures of the curving morphologies are characterized using hydroxyapatite in the enamel layers and calcium carbonate crystals in gastropod shells. The orientation adjustment of the fibrous units occurs through stepwise bending at the grain boundaries with a gradual change of the crystallographic direction. Artificial curving crystals are successfully produced in viscous solution systems. Various kinds of curving crystals are formed through stepwise bending similar to biominerals. The change in the ion flow is deduced to be essential to control the growth direction of the rod like crystals