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Authors Vyalikh, A. ; Simon, P. ; Rosseeva, E. ; Buder, J. ; Scheler, U. ; Kniep, R.
Title An NMR study of biomimetic fluorapatite - gelatine mesocrystals
Date 02.11.2015
Number 46325
Abstract The mesocrystal system fluoroapatite—gelatine grown by double-diffusion is characterized by hierarchical composite structure on a mesoscale. In the present work we apply solid state NMR to characterize its structure on the molecular level and provide a link between the structural organisation on the mesoscale and atomistic computer simulations. Thus, we find that the individual nanocrystals are composed of crystalline fluorapatite domains covered by a thin boundary apatite-like layer. The latter is in contact with an amorphous layer, which fills the interparticle space. The amorphous layer is comprised of the organic matrix impregnated by isolated phosphate groups, Ca3F motifs and water molecules. Our NMR data provide clear evidence for the existence of precursor complexes in the gelatine phase, which were not involved in the formation of apatite crystals, proving hence theoretical predictions on the structural pre-treatment of gelatine by ion impregnation. The interfacial interactions, which may be described as the glue holding the composite materials together, comprise hydrogen bond interactions with the apatite PO43- groups. The reported results are in a good agreement with molecular dynamics simulations, which address the mechanisms of a growth control by collagen fibers, and with experimental observations of an amorphous cover layer in biominerals.
Publisher Scientific Reports
Wikidata
Citation Scientific Reports 5 (2015) Article number: 15797
DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/srep15797
Tags bioinspired materials organic–inorganic nanostructures

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