Bio-inspired Mineralization Using Hydrophilic Polymers

Biomineralization processes result in organic/inorganic hybrid materials with complex shape, hierarchical organization, and superior materials properties. Chemistry, which is inspired by these processes, aims to mimic biomineralization principles and to transfer them to the general control of crystallization processes using an environmentally benign route. In this chapter, the latest advances in hydrophilic polymer-controlled morphosynthesis and bio-inspired mineralization of crystals are summarized with focus on the various principles that can be used to generate inorganic and organic crystals with unusual structural specialty and complexity. For this, classical crystallization pathways using crystal face-selective polymer adsorption can be applied as well as non-classical nanoparticle-mediated crystallization routes, which are based on amorphous or crystalline precursor particles. Current developments emphasize that probably all inorganic and organic crystals will be amenable to morphosynthetic control by the described strategies using either flexible polymer additives or suitable self-assembly mechanisms. The resulting unique hierarchical materials with structural specialty and complexity, and a size range spanning from nanometers to micrometers, are expected to find potential applications in various fields. In addition, bio-inspired mineralization with hydrophilic copolymers offers the chance to understand basic principles of the complex and synergetic biomineralization processes.