Kim, Y, Schenk, AS, Walsh, D et al. (3 more authors) (2014) Bio-inspired formation of functional calcite/metal oxide nanoparticle composites. Nanoscale, 6. 852 - 859. ISSN 2040-3364
Abstract
Biominerals are invariably composite materials, where occlusion of organic macromolecules within single crystals can significantly modify their properties. In this article, we take inspiration from this biogenic strategy to generate composite crystals in which magnetite (Fe3O4) and zincite (ZnO) nanoparticles are embedded within a calcite single crystal host, thereby endowing it with new magnetic or optical properties. While growth of crystals in the presence of small molecules, macromolecules and particles can lead to their occlusion within the crystal host, this approach requires particles with specific surface chemistries. Overcoming this limitation, we here precipitate crystals within a nanoparticle- functionalised xyloglucan gel, where gels can also be incorporated within single crystals, according to their rigidity. This method is independent of the nanoparticle surface chemistry and as the gel maintains its overall structure when occluded within the crystal, the nanoparticles are maintained throughout the crystal, preventing, for example, their movement and accumulation at the crystal surface during crystal growth. This methodology is expected to be quite general, and could be used to endow a wide range of crystals with new functionalities.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | (c) 2014, Royal Society of Chemistry. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Nanoscale. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 09 Mar 2015 12:00 |
Last Modified: | 30 Jun 2020 14:49 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c3nr05081e |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Royal Society of Chemistry |
Identification Number: | 10.1039/c3nr05081e |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:83536 |