Heterostructured calcium carbonate nanowires controlled by a cationic polyelectrolyte†
Abstract
The heterostructured biomimetic materials of calcite microcrystals covered with aragonite nanowires, as well as aragonite fibers decorated with small calcite tips, were first synthesized in a cationic polyelectrolyte mineral solution. The polymorph switching in the same microstructures shows the close relationship with thermodynamic and kinetic reaction control.