Specificity of Growth Inhibitors and their Cooperative Effects in Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate Crystallization

摘要: The molecular recognition and interactions governing site-specific adsorption of growth inhibitors on crystal surfaces can be tailored in order to control the anisotropic rates physical properties crystalline materials. Here we examine this phenomenon calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystallization, a model system calcification with specific relevance for pathological mineralization. We analyzed effect three putative inhibitors—chondroitin sulfate, serum albumin, transferrin—using analytical techniques capable resolving inhibitor–crystal from interfacial bulk scales. observed that each inhibitor alters surface by adsorbing distinct steps emanating screw dislocations COM surfaces. Binding different crystallographic faces produced morphological modifications are consistent classical mechanisms layer-by-layer inhibition. was...