Effect of Polymer Nano- and Microparticles on Calcium Carbonate Crystallization.

ABSTRACT: Molecular and macromolecular templates are known to affect the shape, size, and polymorph selectivity on the biomineralization of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). Micro- and nanoparticles of common polymers present in the environment are beginning to show toxicity in living organisms. In this study, the role of plastic nanoparticles in the biomineralization of CaCO₃ is explored to understand the ecological impact of plastic pollution. As a model study, luminescent poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoparticles (PMMA-NPs) were prepared using the nanoprecipitation method, fully characterized, and used for the mineralization experiments to understand their influence on nucleation, morphology, and polymorph selectivity of CaCO₃ crystals. The PMMA-NPs induced calcite crystal

SUBMITTER: Mahadevan G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8359134 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature