Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1819-1822 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | SCIENCE |
| Volume | 322 |
| Issue number | 5909 |
| Publication status | Published - 19 Dec 2008 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
Calcium carbonate forms scales, geological deposits, biominerals, and ocean sediments. Huge amounts of carbon dioxide are retained as carbonate ions, and calcium ions represent a major contribution to water hardness. Despite its relevance, little is known about the precipitation mechanism of calcium carbonate, and specified complex crystal structures challenge the classical view on nucleation considering the formation of metastable ion clusters. We demonstrate that dissolved calcium carbonate in fact contains stable prenucleation ion clusters forming even in undersaturated solution. The cluster formation can be characterized by means of equilibrium thermodynamics, applying a multiple-binding model, which allows for structural preformation. Stable clusters are the relevant species in calcium carbonate nucleation. Such mechanisms may also be important for the crystallization of other minerals.
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In: SCIENCE, Vol. 322, No. 5909, 19.12.2008, p. 1819-1822.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Stable prenucleation calcium carbonate clusters
AU - Gebauer, Denis
AU - Völkel, Antje
AU - Cölfen, Helmut
PY - 2008/12/19
Y1 - 2008/12/19
N2 - Calcium carbonate forms scales, geological deposits, biominerals, and ocean sediments. Huge amounts of carbon dioxide are retained as carbonate ions, and calcium ions represent a major contribution to water hardness. Despite its relevance, little is known about the precipitation mechanism of calcium carbonate, and specified complex crystal structures challenge the classical view on nucleation considering the formation of metastable ion clusters. We demonstrate that dissolved calcium carbonate in fact contains stable prenucleation ion clusters forming even in undersaturated solution. The cluster formation can be characterized by means of equilibrium thermodynamics, applying a multiple-binding model, which allows for structural preformation. Stable clusters are the relevant species in calcium carbonate nucleation. Such mechanisms may also be important for the crystallization of other minerals.
AB - Calcium carbonate forms scales, geological deposits, biominerals, and ocean sediments. Huge amounts of carbon dioxide are retained as carbonate ions, and calcium ions represent a major contribution to water hardness. Despite its relevance, little is known about the precipitation mechanism of calcium carbonate, and specified complex crystal structures challenge the classical view on nucleation considering the formation of metastable ion clusters. We demonstrate that dissolved calcium carbonate in fact contains stable prenucleation ion clusters forming even in undersaturated solution. The cluster formation can be characterized by means of equilibrium thermodynamics, applying a multiple-binding model, which allows for structural preformation. Stable clusters are the relevant species in calcium carbonate nucleation. Such mechanisms may also be important for the crystallization of other minerals.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=57849165523&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1126/science.1164271
DO - 10.1126/science.1164271
M3 - Article
C2 - 19095936
AN - SCOPUS:57849165523
VL - 322
SP - 1819
EP - 1822
JO - SCIENCE
JF - SCIENCE
SN - 0036-8075
IS - 5909
ER -