Biomimetic approach to forming chitin/aragonite composites

Abstract

Biomimetic materials which display the complexity of biominerals like nacre are synthetically difficult to prepare. The formation of chitin/calcium carbonate composites, where CaCO₃ is present as aragonite, was achieved via reacetylation of preformed chitosan scaffolds followed by the combination of presoaking of chitin templates with mineral solutions in the presence of poly(acrylic acid). The as-synthesised composites are comprised of well-ordered ribbons of aragonite crystals held within an organic matrix, mimicking the structure of nacre.