Synthesis and transformation of calcium carbonate polymorphs with chiral purine nucleotides

Abstract

The biomineralization process in organisms produces better quality biominerals. The most promising approach is using proteins with differing amounts of amino acids in crystals to create biominerals. Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) polymorph crystallization is controlled using the chiral nucleotides adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and guanosine triphosphate (GTP). SEM, XRD, TEM, FTIR spectroscopy, and chiral dichroism (CD) spectroscopy are utilized to study the crystals of CaCO₃ in detail. The results suggest that the purine nucleotides (ATP and GTP) lead to single cubic calcite crystals converted into spherical and sponge-like vaterite crystals. Chiral purine triphosphates influence the crystal structure and development of CaCO₃ significantly. ATP and GTP play a significant role in forming CaCO₃ polymorphs. The impacts of chiral ATP and GTP on vaterite production are also studied to understand better the diverse morphologies of vaterite originated and to introduce innovative ideas for developing biominerals into smart bionics. The synthesis of CaCO₃ with different chiral morphologies and polymorphs helps to generate materials like natural materials with enhanced optical properties and reflective properties, as found in living things. The synthesised CaCO₃ biomaterials with different crystal forms and morphologies may be used in ceramic, drug delivery, bone tissue, and pollution prevention applications.