Journal Article

Aggregation-Based Crystal Growth and Microstructure Development in Natural Iron Oxyhydroxide Biomineralization Products

Tamara Thomsen Ebert, Susan A. Welch, Jillian F. Banfield, Hengzhong Zhang, R. Lee Penn

2000

Overview

Crystals are generally considered to grow by attachment of ions to inorganic surfaces or organic templates. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy of biomineralization products of iron-oxidizing bacteria revealed an alternative coarsening mechanism in which adjacent 2- to 3-nanometer particles aggregate and rotate so their structures adopt parallel orientations in three dimensions. Crystal growth is accomplished by eliminating water molecules at interfaces and forming iron-oxygen bonds. Self-assembly occurs at multiple sites, leading to a coarser, polycrystalline material. Point defects (from surface-adsorbed impurities), dislocations, and slabs of structurally distinct material are created as a consequence of this growth mechanism and can dramatically impact subsequent reactivity.

• Publisher: American Society for the Advancement of Science,American Association for the Advancement of Science,The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subject: Aggregation / Analysis / Anions / Atoms / Bacteria / Betaproteobacteria - metabolism / Biomineralization / Cations / Cell aggregates / Chemical Phenomena / Chemistry, Physical / Colloids / Company growth / Crystal growth / Crystallization / Crystals / Earth sciences / Earth, ocean, space / Exact sciences and technology / Ferric Compounds / Ferric oxide / Ferrihydrite / Ferritins - chemistry / Geology / Goethite / Growth / Hydrogen-Ion Concentration / Hydroxides - chemistry / Iron / Iron Compounds - chemistry / Materials / Microscopy, Electron / Mineralization / Mineralogy / Minerals / Minerals - chemistry / Non silicates / Oxidation-Reduction / Petrology of sedimentary rocks except quaternary rocks / Scientific Concepts / Sedimentary rocks / Water