LAUSR

Abstract The liquid mineral intermediates are very important for the formation of different biominerals in biological systems. However, the detail growth mechanisms of these amorphous phases in complicated biochemical condition, such as organic frameworks, special interfaces and compartmented cells, are still incomplete understand. To gain a better understanding of the evolution of the polymer-induced liquid mineral precursor (PILP) in the special microenvironments, the nanopores of track etch (TE) membranes have been applied. Simultaneously, several synergetic ions of Sr2+, Mg2+ and Ba2+ were introduced to tune properties (nucleation time, lifespan and flowability) of liquid mineral phases. Simultaneously, the titration experiments have also been performed to track the crystallization processes. Experiments have shown that the nanopores could effectively stabilize the metastable vaterite crystals. Under the influences of polymer, nanopores and synergetic doping ions, mono- and polycrystalline nanorods could be synthesized. Doping ions in a certain concentration rang could effectively postpone the nucleation time and prolong the lifespan of liquid mineral precursor. Our study will be helpful to understand the crystallization process of different amorphous phases in the complicated biological microenvironments.