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Sturtz M, House C. Metal Catalysis Acting on Nitriles in Early Earth Hydrothermal Systems. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1524. [PMID: 37511899 PMCID: PMC10381589 DOI: 10.3390/life13071524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydrothermal systems are areas in which heated fluids and organic molecules rush through basaltic material rich in metals and minerals. By studying malononitrile and acetonitrile, we examine the effects of metal and mineral nanoparticles on nitrile compounds in anoxic, hydrothermal conditions representing a prebiotic environment of early Earth. Polymerization, reduction, cyclization, and a phenomenon colloquially known as 'chemical gardening' (structure building via reprecipitation of metal compounds or complexing with organics) are all potential outcomes with the addition of metals and minerals. Reduction occurs with the addition of rhodium (Rh) or iron (II) sulfide (FeS), with positive identification of ethanol and ethylamine forming from acetonitrile reduction. We find that polymerization and insoluble product formation were associated with oxide minerals, metallic nickel (Ni), and metallic cobalt (Co) acting as catalysts. Oxide minerals strongly promoted polymerization into insoluble, tar-like products of nitriles. FeS, iron-nickel alloy (FeNi), and rhodium are unique cases that appear to act as reagents by actively participating in chemical gardening without returning to their initial state. Further, FeS tentatively had a phase change into the mineral parabutlerite. This research aims to identify metals and metal minerals that could best serve nitrile catalysis and reactions on early Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda Sturtz
- Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, 116 Deike Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Christopher House
- Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, 116 Deike Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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2
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Zahorán R, Kumar P, Juhász Á, Horváth D, Tóth Á. Flow-driven synthesis of calcium phosphate-calcium alginate hybrid chemical gardens. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:8157-8164. [PMID: 36263702 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01063a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Systems far-from-equilibrium self-assemble into spatiotemporal structures. Here, we report on the formation of calcium alginate gardens along with their inorganic hybrids when a sodium alginate solution containing sodium phosphate in various compositions is injected into a calcium chloride reservoir. The viscoelastic properties of the membranes developed are controlled by the injection rate, while their thickness by the amount of sodium phosphate besides diffusion. Inorganic hybrid membranes with constant thickness are synthesized in the presence of a sufficient amount of sodium phosphate. The electrochemical characterization of the membranes suggests that the driving force is the pH-gradient developing along the two sides; hence, the cell potential can be controlled by the addition of alkaline sodium phosphate into the sodium alginate solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Réka Zahorán
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Szeged, Rerrich Béla tér 1., Szeged, H-6720, Hungary.
| | - Pawan Kumar
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Szeged, Rerrich Béla tér 1., Szeged, H-6720, Hungary.
| | - Ádám Juhász
- MTA-SZTE Lendület "Momentum" Noble Metal Nanostructures Research Group, Interdisciplinary Excellence Center, Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Szeged, Rerrich Béla tér 1, Szeged, H-6720, Hungary
| | - Dezső Horváth
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Rerrich Béla tér 1., Szeged, H-6720, Hungary
| | - Ágota Tóth
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Szeged, Rerrich Béla tér 1., Szeged, H-6720, Hungary.
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3
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Rieder J, Nützl M, Kunz W, Kellermeier M. Formation and Dynamic Behavior of Macroscopic Aluminum-Based Silica Gardens. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:10392-10399. [PMID: 35976253 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Chemical gardens are self-assembled structures with intricate plant-like morphologies and consist of mineralized membranes, which form spontaneously at interfaces between compartments with dissimilar chemical composition, most typically acidic metal salt and alkaline sodium silicate solutions. While this phenomenon is thought to occur in a number of practical settings, it has also proven to be valuable for investigating transport characteristics in distinct applied systems. For example, coupled diffusion and precipitation processes were monitored in silica gardens based on calcium and iron salts, considered to be models for cement hydration and steel corrosion, respectively. Here we extend these studies to the case of aluminum-based silica gardens, one of the so far less frequently investigated examples of silica gardens. To this end, single macroscopic tubes were prepared in a reproducible way by the controlled addition of sodium silicate solution to a pellet of pressed aluminum nitrate. Continued sampling of the volumes enclosed by and surrounding the formed membraneous structure allowed the time-dependent development of ion concentration gradients to be tracked over extended periods of time, while both the pH and electrochemical potential differences across the membrane were recorded online by immersed probes. The dynamic behavior revealed in this way was finally complemented by ex-situ analyses of the composition of the formed tubes. The collected data shows that the as-prepared tubular structures consist of sodium aluminosilicate phases with certain similarities to zeolites and geopolymers. The emerging tube wall was further found to be permeable to all ionic species present in the system, allowing significant electrochemical potential to be sustained over tens of hours until diffusion had eventually diminished the initially generated gradients. The findings of this work may have important implications for the geochemical fate of natural aluminosilicate sources, the use of such geopolymers in construction applications, and the synthesis and properties of zeolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Rieder
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Nützl
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Werner Kunz
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Kellermeier
- Material Science, BASF SE, RGA/BM - B007, Carl-Bosch-Str. 38, D-67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany
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4
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Ding Y, Gutiérrez-Ariza CM, Zheng M, Felgate A, Lawes A, Sainz-Díaz CI, Cartwright JHE, Cardoso SSS. Downward fingering accompanies upward tube growth in a chemical garden grown in a vertical confined geometry. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:17841-17851. [PMID: 35851594 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp01862d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Chemical gardens are self-assembled structures of mineral precipitates enabled by semi-permeable membranes. To explore the effects of gravity on the formation of chemical gardens, we have studied chemical gardens grown from cobalt chloride pellets and aqueous sodium silicate solution in a vertical Hele-Shaw cell. Through photography, we have observed and quantitatively analysed upward growing tubes and downward growing fingers. The latter were not seen in previous experimental studies involving similar physicochemical systems in 3-dimensional or horizontal confined geometry. To better understand the results, further studies of flow patterns, buoyancy forces, and growth dynamics under schlieren optics have been carried out, together with characterisation of the precipitates with scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. In addition to an ascending flow and the resulting precipitation of tubular filaments, a previously not reported descending flow has been observed which, under some conditions, is accompanied by precipitation of solid fingering structures. We conclude that the physics of both the ascending and descending flows are shaped by buoyancy, together with osmosis and chemical reaction. The existence of the descending flow might highlight a limitation in current experimental methods for growing chemical gardens under gravity, where seeds are typically not suspended in the middle of the solution and are confined by the bottom of the vessel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Ding
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, West Cambridge Site, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, UK.
| | - Carlos M Gutiérrez-Ariza
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad de Granada, Avenida de las Palmeras, 4, E-18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain.
| | - Mingchuan Zheng
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, West Cambridge Site, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, UK.
| | - Amy Felgate
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, West Cambridge Site, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, UK.
| | - Anna Lawes
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, West Cambridge Site, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, UK.
| | - C Ignacio Sainz-Díaz
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad de Granada, Avenida de las Palmeras, 4, E-18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain.
| | - Julyan H E Cartwright
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad de Granada, Avenida de las Palmeras, 4, E-18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain. .,Instituto Carlos I de Física Teórica y Computacional, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Avenida de Fuente Nueva, s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Silvana S S Cardoso
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, West Cambridge Site, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, UK.
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Aslanbay Guler B, Demirel Z, Imamoglu E. Development of a Controlled Injection Method Using Support Templates for the Production of Chemobrionic Materials. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:23910-23918. [PMID: 35847263 PMCID: PMC9281318 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c02620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Chemobrionics is a research field about the well-known self-organized inorganic structures. Numerous research works have focused on controlling their growth pattern and characteristic features. In the present study, a controlled injection method is proposed to produce more regular self-assembled chemobrionics compared to the standard direct injection technique. This method involves the injection of a metal salt solution into an agarose support template filled with an anionic solution. The obtained structures were studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray microtomography, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform IR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Despite the complex mechanism and chemistry underlying the self-organization phenomena, the controlled injection method enabled the generation of regular standard chemobrionic structures with high experimental reproducibility. It provided the extraction of tubular structures from the reaction vessel without breakage, thus allowing comprehensive characterization. Furthermore, the morphological, chemical, and thermal features of these structures were highly correlated with the standard chemobrionics obtained in the direct injection method. The proposed controlled injection method holds great promise for understanding and controlling the properties of chemobrionics and related structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahar Aslanbay Guler
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty
of Engineering, Ege University, Izmir 35040, Turkey
| | - Zeliha Demirel
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty
of Engineering, Ege University, Izmir 35040, Turkey
| | - Esra Imamoglu
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty
of Engineering, Ege University, Izmir 35040, Turkey
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6
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Dynamic diffusion and precipitation processes across calcium silicate membranes. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 618:206-218. [PMID: 35338927 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.03.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Chemical gardens are tubular inorganic structures exhibiting complex morphologies and interesting dynamic properties upon ageing, with coupled diffusion and precipitation processes keeping the systems out of equilibrium for extended periods of time. Calcium-based silica gardens should comprise membranes that mimic the microstructures occurring in ordinary Portland cement and/or silicate gel layers observed around highly reactive siliceous aggregates in concrete. EXPERIMENTS Single macroscopic silica garden tubes were prepared using pellets of calcium chloride and sodium silicate solution. The composition of the mineralized tubes was characterized by means of various ex-situ techniques, while time-dependent monitoring of the solutions enclosed by and surrounding the membrane gives insight into the spatiotemporal distribution of the different ionic species. The latter data reflect transport properties and precipitation reactions in the system, thus allowing its complex dynamic behavior to be resolved. FINDINGS The results show that in contrast to the previously studied cases of iron- and cobalt-based silica gardens, the formed calcium silicate membrane is homogeneous and ultimately becomes impermeable to all species except water, hydroxide and sodium ions, resulting in the permanent conservation of considerable concentration gradients across the membrane. The insights gained in this work may help elucidate the nature and mechanisms of ion diffusion in Portland cements and concrete, especially those occurring during initial hydration of calcium silicates and the so-called alkali-silica reaction (ASR), one of the major concrete deterioration mechanisms causing serious problems with respect to the durability of concrete and the restricted use of many potential sources of raw materials.
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7
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Emmanuel M, Lantos E, Horváth D, Tóth Á. Formation and growth of lithium phosphate chemical gardens. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:1731-1736. [PMID: 35156669 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01808f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We show that a chemical garden can be developed from an alkaline metal precipitate using a flow-driven setup. By injecting sodium phosphate solution into lithium chloride solution from below, a liquid jet appears, on which a precipitate grows forming a structure resembling a hydrothermal vent. The precipitate column continuously builds upward until a maximum height is reached. The vertical growth then significantly slows down while the tube diameter still increases. The analysis of the growth profiles has revealed a linear dependence of volume growth rate on the injection rate, hence yielding a universal growth profile. The expansion in diameter, localized at the tip of the structure, scales with a power law suggesting that the phenomenon is controlled by both diffusion and convection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Emmanuel
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Szeged, Rerrich Béla tér 1., Szeged, H-6720, Hungary.
| | - Emese Lantos
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Szeged, Rerrich Béla tér 1., Szeged, H-6720, Hungary.
| | - Dezső Horváth
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Rerrich Béla tér 1., Szeged, H-6720, Hungary
| | - Ágota Tóth
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Szeged, Rerrich Béla tér 1., Szeged, H-6720, Hungary.
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8
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Altair T, Borges LGF, Galante D, Varela H. Experimental Approaches for Testing the Hypothesis of the Emergence of Life at Submarine Alkaline Vents. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:777. [PMID: 34440521 PMCID: PMC8401828 DOI: 10.3390/life11080777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the pioneering experimental work performed by Urey and Miller around 70 years ago, several experimental works have been developed for approaching the question of the origin of life based on very few well-constructed hypotheses. In recent years, attention has been drawn to the so-called alkaline hydrothermal vents model (AHV model) for the emergence of life. Since the first works, perspectives from complexity sciences, bioenergetics and thermodynamics have been incorporated into the model. Consequently, a high number of experimental works from the model using several tools have been developed. In this review, we present the key concepts that provide a background for the AHV model and then analyze the experimental approaches that were motivated by it. Experimental tools based on hydrothermal reactors, microfluidics and chemical gardens were used for simulating the environments of early AHVs on the Hadean Earth (~4.0 Ga). In addition, it is noteworthy that several works used techniques from electrochemistry to investigate phenomena in the vent-ocean interface for early AHVs. Their results provided important parameters and details that are used for the evaluation of the plausibility of the AHV model, and for the enhancement of it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Altair
- São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Carlos 13560-970, Brazil
| | - Luiz G. F. Borges
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas 13083-100, Brazil; (L.G.F.B.); (D.G.)
| | - Douglas Galante
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas 13083-100, Brazil; (L.G.F.B.); (D.G.)
| | - Hamilton Varela
- São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Carlos 13560-970, Brazil
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Chin K, Pasalic J, Hermis N, Barge LM. Chemical Gardens as Electrochemical Systems: In Situ Characterization of Simulated Prebiotic Hydrothermal Vents by Impedance Spectroscopy. Chempluschem 2021; 85:2619-2628. [PMID: 33270995 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202000600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
In an early earth or planetary chimney systems, hydrothermal fluid chemistry and flow durations play a large role in the chimney's ability to drive electrochemical reactions for the origin of life. We performed continuous electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) characterization on inorganic membranes representing prebiotic hydrothermal chimney vents in natural seafloor systems, by incorporating an electrode array into a chimney growth experiment. Localized potential and capacitances profiles in the chimney reveal a dynamic system where redox processes are driven by transport phenomena, increasing rapidly due to disequilibrium until achieving equilibrium at about 100 mV and 1000 μF/cm2 . The impedance in the chimney interior is three orders of magnitude lower (100 Ohms/cm2 vs 100 KOhms/cm2 ) than at the ocean or the ocean/chimney interface. The calculated peak dissipation factor (DF) values are more than ten times higher (40.0 vs 3.0) and also confirm the elevated chemical reactivity in the chimney interior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith Chin
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA, 91109, USA
| | - Jasmina Pasalic
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA, 91109, USA
| | - Ninos Hermis
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA, 91109, USA
| | - Laura M Barge
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA, 91109, USA
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10
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Hughes EAB, Jones‐Salkey O, Forey P, Chipara M, Grover LM. Exploring the Formation of Calcium Orthophosphate‐Pyrophosphate Chemical Gardens. CHEMSYSTEMSCHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/syst.202000062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Erik A. B. Hughes
- School of Chemical Engineering University of Birmingham Birmingham B15 2TT UK
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham UK
| | - Owen Jones‐Salkey
- School of Chemical Engineering University of Birmingham Birmingham B15 2TT UK
| | - Prescillia Forey
- Ensaia Université De Lorraine 34 Cours Léopold, CS 25233 F-54052 Nancy France
| | - Miruna Chipara
- School of Chemical Engineering University of Birmingham Birmingham B15 2TT UK
| | - Liam M. Grover
- School of Chemical Engineering University of Birmingham Birmingham B15 2TT UK
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11
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Kotopoulou E, Lopez‐Haro M, Calvino Gamez JJ, García‐Ruiz JM. Nanoscale Anatomy of Iron-Silica Self-Organized Membranes: Implications for Prebiotic Chemistry. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:1396-1402. [PMID: 33022871 PMCID: PMC7839773 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202012059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Iron-silica self-organized membranes, so-called chemical gardens, behave as fuel cells and catalyze the formation of amino/carboxylic acids and RNA nucleobases from organics that were available on early Earth. Despite their relevance for prebiotic chemistry, little is known about their structure and mineralogy at the nanoscale. Studied here are focused ion beam milled sections of iron-silica membranes, grown from synthetic and natural, alkaline, serpentinization-derived fluids thought to be widespread on early Earth. Electron microscopy shows they comprise amorphous silica and iron nanoparticles of large surface areas and inter/intraparticle porosities. Their construction resembles that of a heterogeneous catalyst, but they can also exhibit a bilayer structure. Surface-area measurements suggest that membranes grown from natural waters have even higher catalytic potential. Considering their geochemically plausible precipitation in the early hydrothermal systems where abiotic organics were produced, iron-silica membranes might have assisted the generation and organization of the first biologically relevant organics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Electra Kotopoulou
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la TierraConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas- Universidad de GranadaAvda. de las Palmeras 418100GranadaSpain
| | - Miguel Lopez‐Haro
- Departamento de Ciencia de los Materiales e Ingeniería Metalúrgica y Química InorgánicaFacultad de CienciasUniversidad de CadizCampus Rio San PedroPuerto Real11510CádizSpain
| | - Jose Juan Calvino Gamez
- Departamento de Ciencia de los Materiales e Ingeniería Metalúrgica y Química InorgánicaFacultad de CienciasUniversidad de CadizCampus Rio San PedroPuerto Real11510CádizSpain
| | - Juan Manuel García‐Ruiz
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la TierraConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas- Universidad de GranadaAvda. de las Palmeras 418100GranadaSpain
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12
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Kotopoulou E, Lopez‐Haro M, Calvino Gamez JJ, García‐Ruiz JM. Nanoscale Anatomy of Iron‐Silica Self‐Organized Membranes: Implications for Prebiotic Chemistry. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202012059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Electra Kotopoulou
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas- Universidad de Granada Avda. de las Palmeras 4 18100 Granada Spain
| | - Miguel Lopez‐Haro
- Departamento de Ciencia de los Materiales e Ingeniería Metalúrgica y Química Inorgánica Facultad de Ciencias Universidad de Cadiz Campus Rio San Pedro Puerto Real 11510 Cádiz Spain
| | - Jose Juan Calvino Gamez
- Departamento de Ciencia de los Materiales e Ingeniería Metalúrgica y Química Inorgánica Facultad de Ciencias Universidad de Cadiz Campus Rio San Pedro Puerto Real 11510 Cádiz Spain
| | - Juan Manuel García‐Ruiz
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas- Universidad de Granada Avda. de las Palmeras 4 18100 Granada Spain
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13
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Biosignatures in Subsurface Filamentous Fabrics (SFF) from the Deccan Volcanic Province, India. MINERALS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/min10060540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The morphology, chemical, and mineralogical composition of subsurface filamentous fabrics (SFF) from the Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP) were investigated to determine the origin of these spectacular aggregates. SFF occur in a wide variety of morphologies ranging from pseudo-stalactites to irregular fabrics and are classified as SFFIr (irregular) or SFFMa (matted). The SFF samples exhibit a thread-like (or filament-like) center from which mineral precipitation starts to form the final macroscopic morphologies. Detailed investigations revealed organic material (fungal chitin) in the innermost filamentous core, which may have acted as an initial nucleus for the mineralization processes. The morphometric characteristics of certain filamentous fabrics are very similar to those of microbial filaments and the fabrics formed from them but are clearly distinct from similar types of non-biological precipitates (fibrous minerals, speleothems, and “chemical gardens”). These features indicate that the filamentous cores might be products of microbial communities that were active in the basaltic cavities. The SFF cross-sections display similar concentric layers of the mineral succession and reach thicknesses of several centimeters with spectacular lengths up to 100 cm and constant diameters. The typical mineralization sequence points to temporal variation in the chemical composition of the mineralizing fluids from Fe(Mg)-rich (Fe-oxides/-hydroxides, Fe-rich sheet silicates such as celadonite and di-/tri-smectite) to Ca-dominated (Ca-rich zeolites) and finally pure SiO2 (opal-CT, chalcedony, and macro-crystalline quartz). Assuming biological activity at least during the early mineralization processes, circumneutral pH conditions and maximum temperatures of 100–120 °C were supposed. The formation of filamentous cores including Fe-bearing phyllosilicates probably occurred near the surface after cooling of the lava, where the elements necessary for mineral formation (i.e., Si, Mg, Al, Fe) were released during alteration of the volcanic host rocks by percolating fluids.
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14
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Mineral Vesicles and Chemical Gardens from Carbonate-Rich Alkaline Brines of Lake Magadi, Kenya. CRYSTALS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/cryst10060467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Mineral vesicles and chemical gardens are self-organized biomimetic structures that form via abiotic mineral precipitation. These membranous structures are known to catalyze prebiotic reactions but the extreme conditions required for their synthesis has cast doubts on their formation in nature. Apart from model solutions, these structures have been shown to form in serpentinization-driven natural silica-rich water and by fluid-rock interaction of model alkaline solutions with granites. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate that self-assembled hollow mineral vesicles and gardens can be synthesized in natural carbonate-rich soda lake water. We have synthesized these structures by a) pouring saturated metal salt solutions, and b) by immersing metal salt pellets in brines collected from Lake Magadi (Kenya). The resulting structures are analyzed by using SEM coupled with EDX analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction. Our results suggest that mineral self-assembly could have been a common phenomenon in soda oceans of early Earth and Earth-like planets and moons. The composition of the obtained vesicles and gardens confirms the recent observation that carbonate minerals in soda lakes sequestrate Ca, thus leaving phosphate behind in solution available for biochemical reactions. Our results strengthens the proposal that alkaline brines could be ideal sites for “one-pot” synthesis of prebiotic organic compounds and the origin of life.
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15
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Hughes EAB, Chipara M, Hall TJ, Williams RL, Grover LM. Chemobrionic structures in tissue engineering: self-assembling calcium phosphate tubes as cellular scaffolds. Biomater Sci 2020; 8:812-822. [DOI: 10.1039/c9bm01010f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
A diverse range of complex patterns and mineralised hierarchical microstructures can be derived from chemobrionic systems. In this work, we explore chemobrionic calcium phosphate tubes as cellular scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik A. B. Hughes
- School of Chemical Engineering
- University of Birmingham
- UK
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital
| | - Miruna Chipara
- School of Chemical Engineering
- University of Birmingham
- UK
| | - Thomas J. Hall
- School of Chemical Engineering
- University of Birmingham
- UK
| | | | - Liam M. Grover
- School of Chemical Engineering
- University of Birmingham
- UK
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16
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Ziemecka I, Brau F, De Wit A. Confined direct and reverse chemical gardens: Influence of local flow velocity on precipitation patterns. CHAOS (WOODBURY, N.Y.) 2020; 30:013140. [PMID: 32013509 DOI: 10.1063/1.5128107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Various cobalt silicate precipitation patterns can be observed when an aqueous solution of cobalt ions gets into contact with a solution of silicate ions upon injection of one solution into the other in the confined geometry of a Hele-Shaw cell. The properties of these precipitation patterns are studied here as a function of the injection flow rate, densities and viscosities of the solutions, and the choice of which solution is injected into the other one. Our results show that the structure of the precipitation pattern depends on the local velocity as well as on the difference in viscosities between the injected and the displaced solutions. Specifically, decreasing the injection flow rate and/or decreasing the density jump while increasing the difference in viscosities between the reactant solutions results in more circular patterns. Moreover, we show that some structures are robustly observed in given ranges of the local flow velocity in the cell. Locally, precipitation can then transition from one type of pattern to another during injection, according to that preferred structure at the given local velocity. We also show that injection of the cobalt solution into the silicate solution results in the so-called direct patterns that are different from the reverse patterns obtained when the silicate solution is injected in the solution of cobalt ions. Our results help in understanding the production of precipitate structures under nonequilibrium flow conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Ziemecka
- Nonlinear Physical Chemistry Unit, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - F Brau
- Nonlinear Physical Chemistry Unit, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - A De Wit
- Nonlinear Physical Chemistry Unit, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels 1050, Belgium
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17
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Escamilla‐Roa E, Cartwright JHE, Sainz‐Díaz CI. Chemobrionic Fabrication of Hierarchical Self‐Assembling Nanostructures of Copper Oxide and Hydroxide. CHEMSYSTEMSCHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/syst.201900011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Escamilla‐Roa
- Department of Computer Science, Electrical and Space EngineeringLuleå University of Technology 97187 Luleå Sweden
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la TierraCSIC-Universidad de Granada E-18100 Armilla Granada Spain
| | - Julyan H. E. Cartwright
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la TierraCSIC-Universidad de Granada E-18100 Armilla Granada Spain
- Instituto Carlos I de Física Teórica y ComputacionalUniversidad de Granada E-18071 Granada Spain
| | - C. Ignacio Sainz‐Díaz
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la TierraCSIC-Universidad de Granada E-18100 Armilla Granada Spain
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18
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Ding Y, Gutiérrez‐Ariza CM, Ignacio Sainz‐Díaz C, Cartwright JHE, Cardoso SSS. Exploding Chemical Gardens: A Phase‐Change Clock Reaction. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201812331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Ding
- Department of Chemical Engineering and BiotechnologyUniversity of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | | | - C. Ignacio Sainz‐Díaz
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la TierraCSIC-Universidad de Granada E-18100 Armilla Granada Spain
| | - Julyan H. E. Cartwright
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la TierraCSIC-Universidad de Granada E-18100 Armilla Granada Spain
- Instituto Carlos I de Física Teórica y ComputacionalUniversidad de Granada E-18071 Granada Spain
| | - Silvana S. S. Cardoso
- Department of Chemical Engineering and BiotechnologyUniversity of Cambridge Cambridge UK
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19
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Ding Y, Gutiérrez-Ariza CM, Ignacio Sainz-Díaz C, Cartwright JHE, Cardoso SSS. Exploding Chemical Gardens: A Phase-Change Clock Reaction. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:6207-6213. [PMID: 30889305 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201812331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Chemical gardens and clock reactions are two of the best-known demonstration reactions in chemistry. Until now these have been separate categories. We have discovered that a chemical garden confined to two dimensions is a clock reaction involving a phase change, so that after a reproducible and controllable induction period it explodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Ding
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Carlos M Gutiérrez-Ariza
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, CSIC-Universidad de Granada, E-18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - C Ignacio Sainz-Díaz
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, CSIC-Universidad de Granada, E-18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Julyan H E Cartwright
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, CSIC-Universidad de Granada, E-18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain.,Instituto Carlos I de Física Teórica y Computacional, Universidad de Granada, E-18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Silvana S S Cardoso
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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20
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Hughes EAB, Cox SC, Cooke ME, Davies OG, Williams RL, Hall TJ, Grover LM. Interfacial Mineral Fusion and Tubule Entanglement as a Means to Harden a Bone Augmentation Material. Adv Healthc Mater 2018; 7:e1701166. [PMID: 29325202 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201701166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
A new bone augmenting material is reported, which is formed from calcium-loaded hydrogel-based spheres. On immersion of these spheres in a physiological medium, they become surrounded with a sheath of precipitate, which ruptures due to a build-up in osmotic pressure. This results in the formation of mineral tubes that protrude from the sphere surface. When brought into close contact with one another, these spheres become fused through the entanglement and subsequent interstitial mineralization of the mineral tubules. The tubular calcium phosphate induces the expression of osteogenic genes (runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), transcription factor SP7 (SP7), collagen type 1 alpha 1 (COL1A1), and bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein (BGLAP)) and promotes the formation of mineral nodules in preosteoblast cultures comparable to an apatitic calcium phosphate phase. Furthermore, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is significantly upregulated in the presence of tubular materials after 10 d in culture compared with control groups (p < 0.001) and sintered apatite (p < 0.05). This is the first report of a bioceramic material that is formed in its entirety in situ and is therefore likely to provide a better proxy for biological mineral than other existing synthetic alternatives to bone grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik A. B. Hughes
- School of Chemical Engineering; University of Birmingham; Birmingham B15 2TT UK
| | - Sophie C. Cox
- School of Chemical Engineering; University of Birmingham; Birmingham B15 2TT UK
| | - Megan E. Cooke
- School of Chemical Engineering; University of Birmingham; Birmingham B15 2TT UK
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing; MRC Musculoskeletal Ageing Centre; QE Hospital; B15 2TT UK
| | - Owen G. Davies
- School of Chemical Engineering; University of Birmingham; Birmingham B15 2TT UK
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences; Loughborough University; Loughborough LE11 3TU UK
| | - Richard L. Williams
- School of Chemical Engineering; University of Birmingham; Birmingham B15 2TT UK
| | - Thomas J. Hall
- School of Chemical Engineering; University of Birmingham; Birmingham B15 2TT UK
| | - Liam M. Grover
- School of Chemical Engineering; University of Birmingham; Birmingham B15 2TT UK
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21
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Brau F, Haudin F, Thouvenel-Romans S, De Wit A, Steinbock O, Cardoso SSS, Cartwright JHE. Filament dynamics in confined chemical gardens and in filiform corrosion. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 20:784-793. [DOI: 10.1039/c7cp06003c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Once rescaled by the preferred wavenumber ω* of the curvature power spectrum, both filiform corrosion and chemical garden filaments display similar dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Brau
- Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
- Nonlinear Physical Chemistry Unit
- Faculté des Sciences
- 1050 Brussels
- Belgium
| | - Florence Haudin
- Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
- Nonlinear Physical Chemistry Unit
- Faculté des Sciences
- 1050 Brussels
- Belgium
| | | | - Anne De Wit
- Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
- Nonlinear Physical Chemistry Unit
- Faculté des Sciences
- 1050 Brussels
- Belgium
| | - Oliver Steinbock
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Florida State University
- Tallahassee
- USA
| | - Silvana S. S. Cardoso
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
- University of Cambridge
- Cambridge CB2 3RA
- UK
| | - Julyan H. E. Cartwright
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra
- CSIC-Universidad de Granada
- Granada
- Spain
- Instituto Carlos I de Física Teórica y Computacional
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22
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Zhao W, Sakurai K. Realtime Observation of Diffusing Elements in a Chemical Garden. ACS OMEGA 2017; 2:4363-4369. [PMID: 31457729 PMCID: PMC6641959 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.7b00930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The chemical garden, which has been known as the plant-growth-like diffusion of chemicals since the 17th century, has regained much attention in recent years. Significant progress in research not only promoted the understanding of the phenomenon itself but also suggested a prospective method of synthesizing new materials via the chemical garden route. It is extremely important to introduce new characterization techniques to provide more insights into chemical diffusion and element redistribution during the reaction process. The present article describes some successful applications of the realtime X-ray fluorescence (XRF) movie technique to observe each diffusing element. The protagonist of the movie is a chemical garden reaction growing from a seed of calcium salt and ferrous salt mixtures. Through observation by an XRF movie, it has been found that the growth rate and diffusion behavior of calcium and iron are very different. This results in a macroscopic diversity of the element composition in the finally precipitated chemical garden structures. The present research not only reconfirms the potential of fabricating gradient composites through the self-organized chemical garden approach but also demonstrates the attractive achievements of XRF movies. It has been demonstrated that the XRF movie is an indispensable realtime characterization technique for the study of chemical garden reactions or even other related diffusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyang Zhao
- University
of Tsukuba, 1-1-1, Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0006, Japan
- National
Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1, Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047, Japan
| | - Kenji Sakurai
- University
of Tsukuba, 1-1-1, Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0006, Japan
- National
Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1, Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047, Japan
- E-mail: ,
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23
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Wagatsuma S, Higashi T, Sumino Y, Achiwa A. Pattern of a confined chemical garden controlled by injection speed. Phys Rev E 2017; 95:052220. [PMID: 28618586 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.95.052220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Pattern of confined chemical garden was controlled by the speed of injected fluid, and their mechanism is discussed. A confined chemical garden system was constructed where an aqueous solution of cobalt chloride was injected into a cell filled with sodium silicate solution. The reaction of these two solutions resulted in the formation of precipitation. The viscosities of the prepared aqueous solutions were set to be similar in order to rule out the possibility of Saffman-Taylor instability. The injection front showed three distinctive patterns: algaes, shells, and filaments, which were dependent on injection speed. The injection pressure and the spatio-temporal pattern of the injected fluid were measured, and a significant increase in the injection pressure was observed when the filament pattern appeared, which indicated the existence of thin lubrication layer between the precipitation and the substrate. The filament pattern was further analyzed quantitatively, and the number of active filaments was determined to be proportional to the injection speed. A mathematical model was constructed that considered both the viscous effect from the thin lubrication layer and the Laplace pressure. This model successfully reproduced the characteristic filament dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Wagatsuma
- Department of Applied Physics, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan
| | - Takuro Higashi
- Department of Applied Physics, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan
| | - Yutaka Sumino
- Department of Applied Physics, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan
| | - Ayumi Achiwa
- Department of Education, Aichi University of Education, Aichi 448-8542, Japan
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24
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Hughes EAB, Williams RL, Cox SC, Grover LM. Biologically Analogous Calcium Phosphate Tubes from a Chemical Garden. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2017; 33:2059-2067. [PMID: 28135096 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.6b04574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Calcium phosphate (CaPO4) tubes with features comparable to mineralized biological microstructures, such as Haversian canals, were grown from a calcium gel/phosphate solution chemical garden system. A significant difference in gel mass in response to high and low solute phosphate equivalent environments existed within 30 min of solution layering upon gel (p = 0.0067), suggesting that the nature of advective movement between gel and solution is dependent on the solution concentration. The transport of calcium cations (Ca2+) and phosphate anions (PO43-) was quantified and changes in pH were monitored to explain the preferential formation of tubes within a PO43- concentration range of 0.5-1.25 M. Ingress from the anionic solution phase into the gel followed by the liberation of Ca2+ ions from the gel was found to be essential for acquiring self-assembled tubular CaPO4 structures. Tube analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and micro X-ray florescence (μ-XRF) revealed hydroxyapatite (HA, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD, CaHPO4·2H2O) phases organized in a hierarchical manner. Notably, the tubule diameters ranged from 100 to 150 μm, an ideal size for the permeation of vasculature in biological hard tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik A B Hughes
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham , Edgbaston B15 2TT, U.K
| | - Richard L Williams
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham , Edgbaston B15 2TT, U.K
| | - Sophie C Cox
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham , Edgbaston B15 2TT, U.K
| | - Liam M Grover
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham , Edgbaston B15 2TT, U.K
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25
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Glaab F, Rieder J, Klein R, Choquesillo‐Lazarte D, Melero‐Garcia E, García‐Ruiz J, Kunz W, Kellermeier M. Precipitation and Crystallization Kinetics in Silica Gardens. Chemphyschem 2017; 18:338-345. [PMID: 28001337 PMCID: PMC5347931 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201600748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Silica gardens are extraordinary plant-like structures resulting from the complex interplay of relatively simple inorganic components. Recent work has highlighted that macroscopic self-assembly is accompanied by the spontaneous formation of considerable chemical gradients, which induce a cascade of coupled dissolution, diffusion, and precipitation processes occurring over timescales as long as several days. In the present study, this dynamic behavior was investigated for silica gardens based on iron and cobalt chloride by means of two synchrotron-based techniques, which allow the determination of concentration profiles and time-resolved monitoring of diffraction patterns, thus giving direct insight into the progress of dissolution and crystallization phenomena in the system. On the basis of the collected data, a kinetic model is proposed to describe the relevant reactions on a fundamental physicochemical level. The results show that the choice of the metal cations (as well as their counterions) is crucial for the development of silica gardens in both the short and long term (i.e. during tube formation and upon subsequent slow equilibration), and provide important clues for understanding the properties of related structures in geochemical and industrial environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Glaab
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical ChemistryUniversity of RegensburgUniversitätsstrasse 3193040RegensburgGermany
| | - Julian Rieder
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical ChemistryUniversity of RegensburgUniversitätsstrasse 3193040RegensburgGermany
| | - Regina Klein
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical ChemistryUniversity of RegensburgUniversitätsstrasse 3193040RegensburgGermany
| | - Duane Choquesillo‐Lazarte
- Laboratorio de Estudios CristalográficosIACT (CSIC-UGR)Av. de las Palmeras 418100Armilla (Granada)Spain
| | - Emilio Melero‐Garcia
- Laboratorio de Estudios CristalográficosIACT (CSIC-UGR)Av. de las Palmeras 418100Armilla (Granada)Spain
| | - Juan‐Manuel García‐Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Estudios CristalográficosIACT (CSIC-UGR)Av. de las Palmeras 418100Armilla (Granada)Spain
| | - Werner Kunz
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical ChemistryUniversity of RegensburgUniversitätsstrasse 3193040RegensburgGermany
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26
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Barge LM, Cardoso SSS, Cartwright JHE, Doloboff IJ, Flores E, Macías-Sánchez E, Sainz-Díaz CI, Sobrón P. Self-assembling iron oxyhydroxide/oxide tubular structures: laboratory-grown and field examples from Rio Tinto. Proc Math Phys Eng Sci 2016; 472:20160466. [PMID: 27956875 DOI: 10.1098/rspa.2016.0466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rio Tinto in southern Spain has become of increasing astrobiological significance, in particular for its similarity to environments on early Mars. We present evidence of tubular structures from sampled terraces in the stream bed at the source of the river, as well as ancient, now dry, terraces. This is the first reported finding of tubular structures in this particular environment. We propose that some of these structures could be formed through self-assembly via an abiotic mechanism involving templated precipitation around a fluid jet, a similar mechanism to that commonly found in so-called chemical gardens. Laboratory experiments simulating the formation of self-assembling iron oxyhydroxide tubes via chemical garden/chemobrionic processes form similar structures. Fluid-mechanical scaling analysis demonstrates that the proposed mechanism is plausible. Although the formation of tube structures is not itself a biosignature, the iron mineral oxidation gradients across the tube walls in laboratory and field examples may yield information about energy gradients and potentially habitable environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Barge
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA; NASA Astrobiology Institute, Icy Worlds, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - Silvana S S Cardoso
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology , University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 3RA , UK
| | - Julyan H E Cartwright
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, IACT, CSIC-UGR, Av. de las Palmeras, 4, 18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain; Instituto Carlos I de Física Teórica y Computacional, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Ivria J Doloboff
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA; NASA Astrobiology Institute, Icy Worlds, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - Erika Flores
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA; NASA Astrobiology Institute, Icy Worlds, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - Elena Macías-Sánchez
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, IACT, CSIC-UGR, Av. de las Palmeras, 4, 18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain; Departamento de Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - C Ignacio Sainz-Díaz
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, IACT, CSIC-UGR , Av. de las Palmeras, 4, 18100 Armilla, Granada , Spain
| | - Pablo Sobrón
- Carl Sagan Center, SETI Institute, Mountain View, CA, USA; Impossible Sensing, St Louis, MO, USA
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27
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Punia K, Bucaro M, Mancuso A, Cuttitta C, Marsillo A, Bykov A, L'Amoreaux W, Raja KS. Rediscovering Chemical Gardens: Self-Assembling Cytocompatible Protein-Intercalated Silicate-Phosphate Sponge-Mimetic Tubules. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2016; 32:8748-58. [PMID: 27443165 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.6b01721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The classic chemical garden experiment is reconstructed to produce protein-intercalated silicate-phosphate tubules that resemble tubular sponges. The constructs were synthesized by seeding calcium chloride into a solution of sodium silicate-potassium phosphate and gelatin. Sponge-mimetic tubules were fabricated with varying percentages of gelatin (0-15% w/v), in diameters ranging from 200 μm to 2 mm, characterized morphologically and compositionally, functionalized with biomolecules for cell adhesion, and evaluated for cytocompatibility. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis (EDS) experiments showed that the external surface of the tubules was relatively more amorphous in texture and carbon/protein-rich in comparison to the interior surface. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images indicate a network composed of gelatin incorporated into the inorganic scaffold. The presence of gelatin in the constructs was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to identify inorganic crystalline phases in the scaffolds that are mainly composed of Ca(OH)2, NaCl, and Ca2SiO4 along with a band corresponding to amorphous gelatin. Bioconjugation and coating protocols were developed to program the scaffolds with cues for cell adhesion, and the resulting constructs were employed for 3D cell culture of marine (Pyrocystis lunula) and mammalian (HeLa and H9C2) cell lines. The cytocompatibility of the constructs was demonstrated by live cell assays. We have successfully shown that these biomimetic materials can indeed support life; they serve as scaffolds that facilitate the attachment and assembly of individual cells to form multicellular entities, thereby revisiting the 350-year-old effort to link chemical gardens with the origins of life. Hybrid chemical garden biomaterials are programmable, readily fabricated and could be employed in tissue engineering, biomolecular materials development, 3D mammalian cell culture and by researchers investigating the origins of multicellular life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamia Punia
- Graduate Center, City University of New York , 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
| | | | - Andrew Mancuso
- Graduate Center, City University of New York , 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
| | | | - Alexandra Marsillo
- Graduate Center, City University of New York , 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
| | - Alexey Bykov
- Graduate Center, City University of New York , 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
- Department of Physics, City College of New York , 160 Convent Avenue, New York, New York 10031, United States
| | - William L'Amoreaux
- Graduate Center, City University of New York , 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
| | - Krishnaswami S Raja
- Graduate Center, City University of New York , 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
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28
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Abstract
The dissolution of metal salts in silicate solution can result in the growth of hollow precipitate tubes. These "chemical gardens" are a model of self-organization far from the equilibrium and create permanent macroscopic structures. The reproducibility of the growth process is greatly improved if the solid salt seed is replaced by a salt solution that is steadily injected by a pump; however, this modification of the original experiment eliminates the membrane-based osmotic pump at the base of conventional chemical gardens and does not allow for analyses in terms of the involved pressure. Here we describe a new experimental method that delivers the salt solution according to a controlled hydrostatic pressure. In one form of the experiment, this pressure slowly decreases as zinc sulfate solution flows into the silicate-containing reaction vessel, whereas a second version holds the respective solution heights constant. In addition to three known growth regimes (jetting, popping, budding), we observe single tubes that fill the vessel in a horizontally undulating but vertically layered fashion (crowding). The resulting, dried product has a cylindrical shape, very low density, and one continuous connection from top to bottom. We also present phase diagrams of these growth modes and show that the flow characteristics of our experiments follow a reaction-independent Hagen-Poiseuille equation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan R Bentley
- Florida State University , Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4390, United States
| | - Bruno C Batista
- Florida State University , Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4390, United States
| | - Oliver Steinbock
- Florida State University , Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4390, United States
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29
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Tóth–Szeles E, Schuszter G, Tóth Á, Kónya Z, Horváth D. Flow-driven morphology control in the cobalt–oxalate system. CrystEngComm 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ce02459e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The presence of fluid flow by maintaining the density gradient and controlling the flow rate provides a simple method to modify the microstructure of cobalt oxalate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eszter Tóth–Szeles
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science
- University of Szeged
- Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor Schuszter
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science
- University of Szeged
- Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ágota Tóth
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science
- University of Szeged
- Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Kónya
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry
- University of Szeged
- Szeged, Hungary
| | - Dezső Horváth
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry
- University of Szeged
- Szeged, Hungary
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30
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Glaab F, Rieder J, García-Ruiz JM, Kunz W, Kellermeier M. Diffusion and precipitation processes in iron-based silica gardens. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2016; 18:24850-8. [DOI: 10.1039/c6cp02107g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The time-dependent dynamic evolution of macroscopic silica garden tubes is shown to strongly depend on the used metal cations.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Glaab
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- University of Regensburg
- Universitätsstrasse 31
- D-93040 Regensburg
- Germany
| | - J. Rieder
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- University of Regensburg
- Universitätsstrasse 31
- D-93040 Regensburg
- Germany
| | - J. M. García-Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Estudios Cristalográficos
- IACT (CSIC-UGR)
- E-18100 Armilla
- Spain
| | - W. Kunz
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- University of Regensburg
- Universitätsstrasse 31
- D-93040 Regensburg
- Germany
| | - M. Kellermeier
- Material Physics, BASF SE
- Carl-Bosch-Strasse 38
- D-67056 Ludwigshafen
- Germany
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31
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Su Y, Cui M, Zhu J, Li Y, Yan J. Self-organized spatial patterns of carbonate formed via a nonclassical crystallization pathway. CrystEngComm 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ce01744d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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32
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Barge LM, Abedian Y, Doloboff IJ, Nuñez JE, Russell MJ, Kidd RD, Kanik I. Chemical Gardens as Flow-through Reactors Simulating Natural Hydrothermal Systems. J Vis Exp 2015:53015. [PMID: 26650915 PMCID: PMC4692733 DOI: 10.3791/53015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we report experimental simulations of hydrothermal chimney growth using injection chemical garden methods. The versatility of this type of experiment allows for testing of various proposed ocean / hydrothermal fluid chemistries that could have driven reactions toward the origin of life in environments on the early Earth, early Mars, or even other worlds such as the icy moons of the outer planets. We show experiments that include growth of chemical garden structures under anoxic conditions simulating the early Earth, inclusion of trace components of phosphates / organics in the injection solution to incorporate them into the structure, a switch of the injection solution to introduce a secondary precipitating anion, and the measurement of membrane potentials generated by chemical gardens. Using this method, self-assembling chemical garden structures were formed that mimic the natural chimneys precipitated at submarine hydrothermal springs, and these precipitates can be used successfully as flow-through reactors by feeding through multiple successive "hydrothermal" injections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Barge
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology; NASA Astrobiology Institute, Icy Worlds; Blue Marble Space Institute of Science;
| | - Yeghegis Abedian
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology; NASA Astrobiology Institute, Icy Worlds
| | - Ivria J Doloboff
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology; NASA Astrobiology Institute, Icy Worlds
| | - Jessica E Nuñez
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology; Blue Marble Space Institute of Science; Citrus College
| | - Michael J Russell
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology; NASA Astrobiology Institute, Icy Worlds
| | - Richard D Kidd
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
| | - Isik Kanik
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology; NASA Astrobiology Institute, Icy Worlds
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33
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Batista BC, Steinbock O. Chemical gardens without silica: the formation of pure metal hydroxide tubes. Chem Commun (Camb) 2015; 51:12962-5. [PMID: 26172246 DOI: 10.1039/c5cc04724b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Contrary to common belief, hollow precipitation tubes form in the absence of silicate if sodium hydroxide solution is injected into solutions of various metal ions. In many cases, the growth speed has a power law dependence on the flow rate. For vanadyl, we observe damped oscillations in the tube height.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno C Batista
- Florida State University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, USA.
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34
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Barge LM, Cardoso SSS, Cartwright JHE, Cooper GJT, Cronin L, De Wit A, Doloboff IJ, Escribano B, Goldstein RE, Haudin F, Jones DEH, Mackay AL, Maselko J, Pagano JJ, Pantaleone J, Russell MJ, Sainz-Díaz CI, Steinbock O, Stone DA, Tanimoto Y, Thomas NL. From Chemical Gardens to Chemobrionics. Chem Rev 2015; 115:8652-703. [PMID: 26176351 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.5b00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Barge
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology , Pasadena, California 91109, United States
| | - Silvana S S Cardoso
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 3RA, United Kingdom
| | - Julyan H E Cartwright
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, CSIC-Universidad de Granada , E-18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Geoffrey J T Cooper
- WestCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow , Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Leroy Cronin
- WestCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow , Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Anne De Wit
- Nonlinear Physical Chemistry Unit, CP231, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) , B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ivria J Doloboff
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology , Pasadena, California 91109, United States
| | - Bruno Escribano
- Basque Center for Applied Mathematics , E-48009 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Raymond E Goldstein
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB3 0WA, United Kingdom
| | - Florence Haudin
- Nonlinear Physical Chemistry Unit, CP231, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) , B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - David E H Jones
- Department of Chemistry, University of Newcastle upon Tyne , Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, United Kingdom
| | - Alan L Mackay
- Birkbeck College, University of London , Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, United Kingdom
| | - Jerzy Maselko
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alaska , Anchorage, Alaska 99508, United States
| | - Jason J Pagano
- Department of Chemistry, Saginaw Valley State University , University Center, Michigan 48710-0001, United States
| | - J Pantaleone
- Department of Physics, University of Alaska , Anchorage, Alaska 99508, United States
| | - Michael J Russell
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology , Pasadena, California 91109, United States
| | - C Ignacio Sainz-Díaz
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, CSIC-Universidad de Granada , E-18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Oliver Steinbock
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University , Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4390, United States
| | - David A Stone
- Iron Shell LLC , Tucson, Arizona 85717, United States
| | - Yoshifumi Tanimoto
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Osaka Ohtani University , Tondabayashi 548-8540, Japan
| | - Noreen L Thomas
- Department of Materials, Loughborough University , Loughborough LE11 3TU, United Kingdom
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35
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Haudin F, Brasiliense V, Cartwright JHE, Brau F, De Wit A. Genericity of confined chemical garden patterns with regard to changes in the reactants. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2015; 17:12804-11. [DOI: 10.1039/c5cp00068h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Typical patterns emerging during the growth of chemical gardens in a confined geometry when the concentration of the reactants are changed. These patterns are robust to changes in the reactant ions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Haudin
- Nonlinear Physical Chemistry Unit
- Faculté des Sciences
- Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
- 1050 Brussels
- Belgium
| | - V. Brasiliense
- Nonlinear Physical Chemistry Unit
- Faculté des Sciences
- Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
- 1050 Brussels
- Belgium
| | | | - Fabian Brau
- Nonlinear Physical Chemistry Unit
- Faculté des Sciences
- Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
- 1050 Brussels
- Belgium
| | - A. De Wit
- Nonlinear Physical Chemistry Unit
- Faculté des Sciences
- Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
- 1050 Brussels
- Belgium
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36
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Abstract
Chemical gardens are mineral aggregates that grow in three dimensions with plant-like forms and share properties with self-assembled structures like nanoscale tubes, brinicles, or chimneys at hydrothermal vents. The analysis of their shapes remains a challenge, as their growth is influenced by osmosis, buoyancy, and reaction-diffusion processes. Here we show that chemical gardens grown by injection of one reactant into the other in confined conditions feature a wealth of new patterns including spirals, flowers, and filaments. The confinement decreases the influence of buoyancy, reduces the spatial degrees of freedom, and allows analysis of the patterns by tools classically used to analyze 2D patterns. Injection moreover allows the study in controlled conditions of the effects of variable concentrations on the selected morphology. We illustrate these innovative aspects by characterizing quantitatively, with a simple geometrical model, a new class of self-similar logarithmic spirals observed in a large zone of the parameter space.
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37
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Steenbjerg Ibsen CJ, Mikladal BF, Bjørnholt Jensen U, Birkedal H. Hierarchical Tubular Structures Grown from the Gel/Liquid Interface. Chemistry 2014; 20:16112-20. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201402741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2014] [Revised: 06/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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38
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Batista BC, Cruz P, Steinbock O. From hydrodynamic plumes to chemical gardens: the concentration-dependent onset of tube formation. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2014; 30:9123-9. [PMID: 25014675 DOI: 10.1021/la5020175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Many inorganic precipitation reactions self-organize macroscopic tubes known as chemical gardens. We study the nonequilibrium formation of these structures by injecting aqueous sodium sulfide solution into a reservoir of iron(II) chloride solution. Our experiments reveal a distinct, concentration-dependent transition from convective plumes of reaction-induced, colloidal particles to mechanically connected, hollow tubes. The transition concentration (0.1 mol/L) is widely independent of the injection rate and causes a discontinuous change from the radius of the plume stalk to the radius of the tube. In addition, tubes have lower growth speeds than plumes. At the transition concentration, one observes the initial formation of a plume followed by the growth of a mechanically weak tube around a jet of upward-moving precipitation particles. We find that the plumes' morphology and geometric scaling are similar to that of laminar starting plumes in nonreactive systems. The characterization of dried tubes by X-ray diffraction indicates the presence of greigite and lepidocrocite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno C Batista
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University , Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4390, United States
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39
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Cartwright JHE, Escribano B, González DL, Sainz-Díaz CI, Tuval I. Brinicles as a case of inverse chemical gardens. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2013; 29:7655-7660. [PMID: 23551166 DOI: 10.1021/la4009703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Brinicles are hollow tubes of ice from centimeters to meters in length that form under floating sea ice in the polar oceans when dense, cold brine drains downward from sea ice to seawater close to its freezing point. When this extremely cold brine leaves the ice, it freezes the water it comes into contact with: a hollow tube of ice-a brinicle-growing downward around the plume of descending brine. We show that brinicles can be understood as a form of the self-assembled tubular precipitation structures termed chemical gardens, which are plantlike structures formed on placing together a soluble metal salt, often in the form of a seed crystal, and an aqueous solution of one of many anions, often silicate. On one hand, in the case of classical chemical gardens, an osmotic pressure difference across a semipermeable precipitation membrane that filters solutions by rejecting the solute leads to an inflow of water and to its rupture. The internal solution, generally being lighter than the external solution, flows up through the break, and as it does so, a tube grows upward by precipitation around the jet of internal solution. Such chemical-garden tubes can grow to many centimeters in length. In the case of brinicles, on the other hand, in floating sea ice we have porous ice in a mushy layer that filters out water, by freezing it, and allows concentrated brine through. Again there is an osmotic pressure difference leading to a continuing ingress of seawater in a siphon pump mechanism that is sustained as long as the ice continues to freeze. Because the brine that is pumped out is denser than the seawater and descends rather than rises, a brinicle is a downward-growing tube of ice, an inverse chemical garden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julyan H E Cartwright
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (IACT), CSIC-Universidad de Granada, Armilla, Granada, Spain
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40
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Kellermeier M, Glaab F, Melero-García E, García-Ruiz JM. Experimental techniques for the growth and characterization of silica biomorphs and silica gardens. Methods Enzymol 2013; 532:225-56. [PMID: 24188770 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-416617-2.00011-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Silica biomorphs and silica gardens are canonical examples of precipitation phenomena yielding self-assembled nanocrystalline composite materials with outstanding properties in terms of morphology and texture. Both types of structures form spontaneously in alkaline environments and rely on simple, and essentially similar, chemistry. However, the underlying growth processes are very sensitive to a range of experimental parameters, distinct preparation procedures, and external conditions. In this chapter, we report detailed protocols for the synthesis of these extraordinary biomimetic materials and identify critical aspects as well as advantages and disadvantages of different approaches. Furthermore, modifications of established standard procedures are reviewed and discussed with respect to their benefit for the control over morphogenesis and the reproducibility of the experiments in both cases. Finally, we describe currently used techniques for the characterization of these fascinating structures and devise promising ways to analyze their growth behavior and formation mechanisms in situ and as a function of time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Kellermeier
- Department of Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany; Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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41
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Makki R, Roszol L, Pagano JJ, Steinbock O. Tubular precipitation structures: materials synthesis under non-equilibrium conditions. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2012; 370:2848-2865. [PMID: 22615464 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2011.0378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Inorganic precipitation reactions are known to self-organize a variety of macroscopic structures, including hollow tubes. We discuss recent advances in this field with an emphasis on experiments similar to 'silica gardens'. These reactions involve metal salts and sodium silicate solution. Reactions triggered from reagent-loaded microbeads can produce tubes with inner radii of down to 3 μm. Distinct wall morphologies are reported. For pump-driven injection, three qualitatively different growth regimes exist. In one of these regimes, tubes assemble around a buoyant jet of reactant solution, which allows the quantitative prediction of the tube radius. Additional topics include relaxation oscillations and the templating of tube growth with pinned gas bubble and mechanical devices. The tube materials and their nano-to-micro architectures are discussed for the cases of silica/Cu(OH)(2) and silica/Zn(OH)(2)/ZnO tubes. The latter case shows photocatalytic activity and photoluminescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabih Makki
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, USA
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42
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Glaab F, Kellermeier M, Kunz W, Morallon E, García-Ruiz JM. Formation and Evolution of Chemical Gradients and Potential Differences Across Self-Assembling Inorganic Membranes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201107754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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43
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Glaab F, Kellermeier M, Kunz W, Morallon E, García-Ruiz JM. Formation and evolution of chemical gradients and potential differences across self-assembling inorganic membranes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2012; 51:4317-21. [PMID: 22431259 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201107754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2011] [Revised: 12/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Glaab
- Institut für Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
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44
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Barge LM, Doloboff IJ, White LM, Stucky GD, Russell MJ, Kanik I. Characterization of iron-phosphate-silicate chemical garden structures. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2012; 28:3714-3721. [PMID: 22035594 DOI: 10.1021/la203727g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Chemical gardens form when ferrous chloride hydrate seed crystals are added or concentrated solutions are injected into solutions of sodium silicate and potassium phosphate. Various precipitation morphologies are observed depending on silicate and phosphate concentrations, including hollow plumes, bulbs, and tubes. The growth of precipitates is controlled by the internal osmotic pressure, fluid buoyancy, and membrane strength. Additionally, rapid bubble-led growth is observed when silicate concentrations are high. ESEM/EDX analysis confirms compositional gradients within the membranes, and voltage measurements across the membranes during growth show a final potential of around 150-200 mV, indicating that electrochemical gradients are maintained across the membranes as growth proceeds. The characterization of chemical gardens formed with iron, silicate, and phosphate, three important components of an early earth prebiotic hydrothermal system, can help us understand the properties of analogous structures that likely formed at submarine alkaline hydrothermal vents in the Hadean-structures offering themselves as the hatchery of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Barge
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, California 91109, USA.
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45
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Zhang Y, Xu G, Wei X, Ren Z, Liu Y, Shen G, Han G. Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization and formation mechanism of self-assembled mesoporous SrTiO3 spheres assisted with Na2SiO3·9H2O. CrystEngComm 2012. [DOI: 10.1039/c2ce06655f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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