Exploring crystal growth dynamics of calcium carbonate and phosphate in silica gels: effects of phosphate concentration on morphology and composition

Calcium carbonate and phosphate crystallization processes are fundamental in both geological and biomineralization contexts (Kuczumow et al., 2022a). This study explores the formation and characteristics of calcium carbonate and phosphate phases grown within a silica hydrogel medium, with particular...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Authors: Sánchez Pastor, Nuria; Jorge Pinto, Andre Filipe; Del Buey Fernández, Pablo; Astilleros García-Monge, José Manuel
Format: Article
Publication date:2025
Country:España
Institution:Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
Repository:Docta Complutense
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/121345
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/121345
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:549.742:548.2
Gel experiments
Crystals growth
Spectroscopy
Phosphate
Calcium carbonate
Crystal morphology
Additive
Octacalcium phosphate
Bioapatite
Mineralogía (Geología)
Cristalografía (Geología)
2506.11 Mineralogía
2211.04 Cristalografía
Description
Summary:Calcium carbonate and phosphate crystallization processes are fundamental in both geological and biomineralization contexts (Kuczumow et al., 2022a). This study explores the formation and characteristics of calcium carbonate and phosphate phases grown within a silica hydrogel medium, with particular focus on understanding the effects of phosphate ion concentration on crystal morphology and composition. Utilizing a U-tube setup, the diffusion of calcium chloride and sodium carbonate solutions through a silica gel matrix doped with potassium phosphate allowed the crystallization processes to be controlled, mimicking environmental conditions that may influence biomineralization and industrial applications.