Issue 36, 2025

Structural order of Mg-stabilized amorphous calcium carbonate and its associated phase transformation

Abstract

Biominerals formed by marine organisms exhibit intricate structures and support a remarkable range of functionalities. Recent advances in our understanding of biomineralization highlight the pivotal role of magnesium-stabilized amorphous calcium carbonate (Mg-ACC) as a transient precursor in the formation of calcareous biominerals. This feature article reviews recent in vitro studies of Mg-ACC, illustrating the concepts of particle attachment, secondary nucleation, domain segregation, and mesocrystal formation. Some conceptual issues associated with the ongoing debate between classical nucleation theory and non-classical nucleation theory are discussed. We suggest that solid-state NMR measurements of the van Vleck second moment provide a stringent test for any proposed atomic model of Mg-ACC. The coordination environment of Mg2+ ions and the significance of bicarbonate ions in Mg-ACC are discussed. The diffusion of Mg2+ ions within the calcitic lattice of high-Mg calcite offers a mechanistic insight into the ‘dolomite problem’. The fusion of neighboring high-Mg calcite spherulites highlights their potential role as versatile building blocks for calcareous biomineral skeletal frameworks. Altogether, this article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the structural complexity and transformation pathways of Mg-ACC.

Graphical abstract: Structural order of Mg-stabilized amorphous calcium carbonate and its associated phase transformation

Article information

Article type
Feature Article
Submitted
03 Feb 2025
Accepted
31 Mar 2025
First published
01 Apr 2025

Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 6567-6578

Structural order of Mg-stabilized amorphous calcium carbonate and its associated phase transformation

S. Li, C. Tsao, S. Yang and J. C. C. Chan, Chem. Commun., 2025, 61, 6567 DOI: 10.1039/D5CC00602C

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