1
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Siev EA, Batista BC, Steinbock O. Coiling of Secondary Tubes Formed from the Colloidal Exhaust of Primary Chemical Gardens. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:2028-2036. [PMID: 38378455 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c07840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Chemical gardens are self-organized precipitate structures such as thin-walled tubes and membrane-bound cells reminiscent of biological shapes. These usually inorganic precipitates compartmentalize the reaction system and allow the study of materials synthesis in very steep concentration gradients. We create such tubes by steadily injecting a mixture of MnCl2 and CuSO4 solutions into a large reservoir of sodium silicate solution. The growing tube is open at its tip and ejects a stream of colloidal particles that aggregate to form a secondary tube above the original one. This secondary tube can coil into a tightly wound nest-like structure, freely suspended underneath the solution-air interface. Using three-dimensional image reconstruction, we analyze the onset of coiling and show that the structure is helical with a helix radius that increases in the vertical direction. The height at which the coiling begins is lowered with each successive repeat of the growth experiment, suggesting that coiling is induced by small variations in the density of the silicate solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elee A Siev
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4390, United States
| | - Bruno C Batista
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4390, United States
| | - Oliver Steinbock
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4390, United States
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2
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Patel VK, Busupalli B. Light-modulated colour transformation in highly intertwined vertically growing silver tungstate tubes. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:30727-30734. [PMID: 37934461 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp04329k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Achieving control over growth kinetics in chemical garden architectures is challenging due to the nonequilibrium conditions. In this study, we demonstrate the vertical growth of silver tungstate chemical garden tubes under both illuminated and dark conditions, a phenomenon not observed in a comparable silver-based system, specifically silver silicate, under light exposure. Physicochemical factors, viz. thermo chemical radius of the tungstate anion, its density-buoyancy relation, the osmotic pressure gradient, and the hydration enthalpy, contributed to the tube appearance in silver tungstate even in light. Tubes grown in light illumination were greyish black, while dark-grown tubes were creamy white, and both tubes appeared twisted and highly intertwined. The colour of the as obtained silver tungstate tubes could be transformed via exposure to light. In the presence of a strong oxidizing agent, the growing tubes retain the original creamy white colour even under illumination. Colour transformation in chemical garden tubes has not yet been observed, and this report could lead the way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipul Kirtikumar Patel
- Department of Chemistry, School of Energy Technology, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar 382426, Gujarat, India.
| | - Balanagulu Busupalli
- Department of Chemistry, School of Energy Technology, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar 382426, Gujarat, India.
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3
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Nogueira JA, Batista BC, Cooper MA, Steinbock O. Nonclassical Crystallization Causes Dendritic and Band-Like Microscale Patterns in Inorganic Precipitates. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202306885. [PMID: 37463849 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202306885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
The self-organization of complex solids can create patterns extending hierarchically from the atomic to the macroscopic scale. A frequently studied model is the chemical garden system which consists of life-like precipitate shapes. In this study, we examine the thin walls of chemical gardens using microfluidic devices that yield linear Ni(OH)2 precipitate membranes. We observe distinct light-scattering patterns within the compositionally pure membranes, including disorganized spots, dendrites, and parallel bands. The bands are tilted with respect to the membrane axis and their spacing (20-100 μm) increases with increasing flow rates. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that the bands consist of submicron particles embedded in a denser material and these particles are also found in the reactant stream. We propose that dendrites and bands arise from the attachment of solution-borne nanoparticles. The bands are generated by particle-aggregation zones moving upstream along the slowly advancing membrane surface. The speed of the aggregation zones is proportional to the band distance and defines the system's dispersion relation. This speed-wavelength dependence and the flow-opposing motion of the aggregation zones are likely caused by low particle concentrations in the wake of the zones that only slowly recover due to Brownian motion and particle nucleation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica A Nogueira
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, USA
| | - Bruno C Batista
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, USA
| | - Maggie A Cooper
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, USA
| | - Oliver Steinbock
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, USA
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4
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Batista BC, Morris AZ, Steinbock O. Pattern selection by material aging: Modeling chemical gardens in two and three dimensions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2305172120. [PMID: 37399415 PMCID: PMC10334770 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305172120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemical gardens are complex, often macroscopic, structures formed by precipitation reactions. Their thin walls compartmentalize the system and adjust in size and shape if the volume of the interior reactant solution is increased by osmosis or active injection. Spatial confinement to a thin layer is known to result in various patterns including self-extending filaments and flower-like patterns organized around a continuous, expanding front. Here, we describe a cellular automaton model for this type of self-organization, in which each lattice site is occupied by one of the two reactants or the precipitate. Reactant injection causes the random replacement of precipitate and generates an expanding near-circular precipitate front. If this process includes an age bias favoring the replacement of fresh precipitate, thin-walled filaments arise and grow-like in the experiments-at the leading tip. In addition, the inclusion of a buoyancy effect allows the model to capture various branched and unbranched chemical garden shapes in two and three dimensions. Our results provide a model of chemical garden structures and highlight the importance of temporal changes in the self-healing membrane material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno C. Batista
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL32306-4390
| | - Amari Z. Morris
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL32306-4390
| | - Oliver Steinbock
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL32306-4390
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5
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Zahorán R, Kumar P, Deák Á, Lantos E, Horváth D, Tóth Á. From Balloon to Crystalline Structure in the Calcium Phosphate Flow-Driven Chemical Garden. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:5078-5083. [PMID: 36972336 PMCID: PMC10100542 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We have studied the calcium phosphate precipitation reaction by producing chemical gardens in a controlled manner using a three-dimensional flow-driven technique. The injection of the phosphate containing solution into the calcium ion reservoir has resulted in structures varying from membranes to crystals. Dynamical phase diagrams are constructed by varying chemical composition and flow rates from which three different growth mechanisms have been revealed. The microstructural analysis by scanning electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction confirmed the morphological transition from membrane tubes to crystalline branches upon decreasing pH.
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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
| | - Ágota Deák
- Department
of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science, Interdisciplinary Excellence
Centre, University of Szeged, Aradi sq. 1, Szeged 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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6
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Wang Q, Steinbock O. Bobbing chemical garden tubes: oscillatory self-motion from buoyancy and catalytic gas production. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:2138-2145. [PMID: 36876894 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01681h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Chemical reactions can induce self-propulsion by the production and ejection of gas bubbles from micro-rocket like cylindrical units. We describe related micro-submarines that change their depth in response to catalytic gas production. The structures consist of silica-supported CuO and are produced by utilizing the self-assembly rules of chemical gardens. In H2O2 solution, the tube cavity produces O2(g) and the resulting buoyancy lifts the tube to the air-solution interface, where it releases oxygen and sinks back down to the bottom of the container. In 5 cm deep solutions, the resulting bobbing cycles have a period of 20-30 s and repeat for several hours. The ascent is characterized by a vertical orientation of the tube and a constant acceleration. During the descent, the tubes are oriented horizontally and sink at a nearly constant speed. These striking features are quantitatively captured by an analysis of the involved mechanical forces and chemical kinetics. The results show that ascending tubes increase their oxygen-production rate by the motion-induced injection of fresh solution into the tube cavity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingpu Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, USA.
| | - Oliver Steinbock
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, USA.
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7
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Nogueira JA, Batista BC, Cooper MA, Steinbock O. Shape Evolution of Precipitate Membranes in Flow Systems. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:1471-1478. [PMID: 36745753 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c08433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chemical gardens are macroscopic structures that form when a salt seed is submerged in an alkaline solution. Their thin precipitate membranes separate the reactant partners and slow down the approach toward equilibrium. During this stage, a gradual thickening occurs, which is driven by steep cross-membrane gradients and governed by selective ion transport. We study these growth dynamics in microfluidic channels for the case of Ni(OH)2 membranes. Fast flowing reactant solutions create thickening membranes of a nearly constant width along the channel, whereas slow flows produce wedge-shaped structures that fail to grow along their downstream end. The overall dynamics and shapes are caused by the competition of reactant consumption and transport replenishment. They are reproduced quantitatively by a two-variable reaction-diffusion-advection model which provides kinetic insights into the growth of precipitate membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica A Nogueira
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida32306-4390, United States
| | - Bruno C Batista
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida32306-4390, United States
| | - Maggie A Cooper
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida32306-4390, United States
| | - Oliver Steinbock
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida32306-4390, United States
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8
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Patel VK, Busupalli B. Dissimilar chemobrionic growth in copper silicate chemical gardens in the absence or presence of light. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:768-771. [PMID: 36546324 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc06570c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The effect of the absence of light on chemical garden growth has been neglected although the gardens resemble hydrothermal vents that grow in dark in the sea/ocean. Herein, we report the differential growth of chemobrionic structures in copper silicate when identical reactions to yield copper silicate chemical gardens were carried out in the presence or absence of light. Irradiating the copper silicate chemical garden during its growth with different wavelengths of light independently resulted in morphologically divergent tubes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipul Kirtikumar Patel
- Department of Chemistry, School of Energy Technology, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382426, India.
| | - Balanagulu Busupalli
- Department of Chemistry, School of Energy Technology, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382426, India.
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9
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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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10
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Kumar P, Wang Q, Horváth D, Tóth Á, Steinbock O. Collective motion of self-propelled chemical garden tubes. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:4389-4395. [PMID: 35616522 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00395c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In H2O2 solutions, manganese-containing chemical garden tubes can self-propel due to the catalytic production and ejection of oxygen bubbles. Here, we investigate the collective behavior of these self-assembled precipitate tubes. In thin solution layers, the tubes show definite autonomous dynamics with only weak interactions that result from fluid motion around the moving units and directional changes during collisions. In thick solution layers with convex menisci forcing spatial confinement, the tubes undergo cycles of self-assembly and dispersion. This collective motion results from the rhythmic creation of a large master bubble around which the tubes align tangentially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawan Kumar
- Florida State University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, USA.
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Szeged, Rerrich Béla tér 1, Szeged H-6720, Hungary
| | - Qingpu Wang
- Florida State University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, USA.
| | - 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
| | - Oliver Steinbock
- Florida State University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, USA.
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11
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Busupalli B, Patel VK. Dark–induced vertical growth of chemobrionic architectures in silver based precipitating chemical gardens. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:4172-4175. [DOI: 10.1039/d1cc06430d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Light sensitivity of many silver compounds has restricted observation of silver based chemical gardens. Here we report for the first time, silver based chemical gardens grown in dark. An identical...
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12
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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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13
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Wang Q, Hernesman KS, Steinbock O. Flow‐Driven Precipitation Patterns with Microemulsions in a Confined Geometry. CHEMSYSTEMSCHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/syst.201900037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Qingpu Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4390 USA
| | - Keeley S. Hernesman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4390 USA
| | - Oliver Steinbock
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4390 USA
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14
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Knoll P, Gonzalez AV, McQueen ZC, Steinbock O. Flow‐Induced Precipitation in Thin Capillaries Creates Helices, Lamellae, and Tubes. Chemistry 2019; 25:13885-13889. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201903951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Knoll
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Florida State University Tallahassee FL 32306-4390 USA
| | - Alexander V. Gonzalez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Florida State University Tallahassee FL 32306-4390 USA
| | - Zachary C. McQueen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Florida State University Tallahassee FL 32306-4390 USA
| | - Oliver Steinbock
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Florida State University Tallahassee FL 32306-4390 USA
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15
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Pótári G, Tóth Á, Horváth D. Precipitation patterns driven by gravity current. CHAOS (WOODBURY, N.Y.) 2019; 29:073117. [PMID: 31370424 DOI: 10.1063/1.5094491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A precipitation reaction can be driven by a gravity current that spreads on the bottom as a denser fluid is injected into an initially stagnant liquid. Supersaturation and nucleation are restricted to locations where the two liquids come into contact; hence, the flow pattern governs the spatial distribution of the final product. In this numerical study, we quantitatively characterize the flow associated with the gravity current prior to the onset of nucleation and distinguish three zones where the coupling of transport processes with the reaction can take place depending on their time scales. A scaling law associated with the region of Rayleigh-Taylor instability behind the tip of the gravity current is also determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Pótári
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science, 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
| | - Dezső Horváth
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Rerrich Béla tér 1., Szeged H-6720, Hungary
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16
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Pópity-Tóth É, Schuszter G, Horváth D, Tóth Á. Peristalticity-driven banded chemical garden. J Chem Phys 2018; 148:184701. [DOI: 10.1063/1.5023465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- É. Pópity-Tóth
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Szeged, Rerrich Béla tér 1, Szeged H-6720,
Hungary
| | - G. Schuszter
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Szeged, Rerrich Béla tér 1, Szeged H-6720,
Hungary
| | - D. Horváth
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Rerrich Béla tér 1, Szeged H-6720,
Hungary
| | - Á. Tóth
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Szeged, Rerrich Béla tér 1, Szeged H-6720,
Hungary
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17
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Rauscher E, Schuszter G, Bohner B, Tóth Á, Horváth D. Osmotic contribution to the flow-driven tube formation of copper–phosphate and copper–silicate chemical gardens. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 20:5766-5770. [DOI: 10.1039/c7cp08282g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
A flow-driven technique allowing osmosis reveals the capacities of gradient-applying methods to form membranes with tailor-made inner and smoother outer surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelin Rauscher
- 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
| | - Bíborka Bohner
- 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
| | - Dezső Horváth
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry
- University of Szeged
- Szeged
- Hungary
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18
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Barge LM, White LM. Experimentally Testing Hydrothermal Vent Origin of Life on Enceladus and Other Icy/Ocean Worlds. ASTROBIOLOGY 2017; 17:820-833. [PMID: 28836818 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2016.1633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
We review various laboratory strategies and methods that can be utilized to simulate prebiotic processes and origin of life in hydrothermal vent systems on icy/ocean worlds. Crucial steps that could be simulated in the laboratory include simulations of water-rock chemistry (e.g., serpentinization) to produce hydrothermal fluids, the types of mineral catalysts and energy gradients produced in vent interfaces where hydrothermal fluids interface with the surrounding seawater, and simulations of biologically relevant chemistry in flow-through gradient systems (i.e., far-from-equilibrium experiments). We describe some examples of experimental designs in detail, which are adaptable and could be used to test particular hypotheses about ocean world energetics or mineral/organic chemistry. Enceladus among the ocean worlds provides an ideal test case, since the pressure at the ocean floor is more easily simulated in the lab. Results for Enceladus could be extrapolated with further experiments and modeling to understand other ocean worlds. Key Words: Enceladus-Ocean worlds-Icy worlds-Hydrothermal vent-Iron sulfide-Gradient. Astrobiology 17, 820-833.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Barge
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology , Pasadena, California
| | - Lauren M White
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology , Pasadena, California
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19
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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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20
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Barge LM, Branscomb E, Brucato JR, Cardoso SSS, Cartwright JHE, Danielache SO, Galante D, Kee TP, Miguel Y, Mojzsis S, Robinson KJ, Russell MJ, Simoncini E, Sobron P. Thermodynamics, Disequilibrium, Evolution: Far-From-Equilibrium Geological and Chemical Considerations for Origin-Of-Life Research. ORIGINS LIFE EVOL B 2017; 47:39-56. [PMID: 27271006 DOI: 10.1007/s11084-016-9508-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L M Barge
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA.
- Icy Worlds Team, NASA Astrobiology Institute, Mountain View, CA, 94043, USA.
| | - E Branscomb
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - J R Brucato
- Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri, Florence, Italy
| | - S S S Cardoso
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3RA, UK
| | - J 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
| | - S O Danielache
- Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan
- Earth and Life Science Institute, Tokyo Technical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - D Galante
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory, LNLS / CNPEM, Campinas, Brazil
| | - T P Kee
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Y Miguel
- Observatoire de Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - S Mojzsis
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309-0399, USA
| | - K J Robinson
- School of Molecular Sciences and School of Earth & Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - M J Russell
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
- Icy Worlds Team, NASA Astrobiology Institute, Mountain View, CA, 94043, USA
| | - E Simoncini
- Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri, Florence, Italy
| | - P Sobron
- Carl Sagan Center, SETI Institute, Mountain View, CA, USA
- Impossible Sensing, St. Louis, MO, USA
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21
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Points LJ, Cooper GJT, Dolbecq A, Mialane P, Cronin L. An all-inorganic polyoxometalate-polyoxocation chemical garden. Chem Commun (Camb) 2016; 52:1911-4. [PMID: 26681204 DOI: 10.1039/c5cc09536k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we show it is possible to produce wholly inorganic chemical gardens from a cationic polyoxometalate (POM) seed in an anionic POM solution, demonstrating a wholly POM-based chemical garden system that produces architectures over a wide concentration range. Six concentration dependent growth regimes have been discovered and characterized: clouds, membranes, slugs, tubes, jetting and budding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie J Points
- WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - Geoffrey J T Cooper
- WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - Anne Dolbecq
- Institut Lavoisier de Versailles, UMR 8180, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, Université Paris Saclay, 45 Avenue des Etats-Unis, 78035 Versailles cedex, France
| | - Pierre Mialane
- Institut Lavoisier de Versailles, UMR 8180, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, Université Paris Saclay, 45 Avenue des Etats-Unis, 78035 Versailles cedex, France
| | - Leroy Cronin
- WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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22
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Wavy membranes and the growth rate of a planar chemical garden: Enhanced diffusion and bioenergetics. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:9182-6. [PMID: 27486248 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1607828113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To model ion transport across protocell membranes in Hadean hydrothermal vents, we consider both theoretically and experimentally the planar growth of a precipitate membrane formed at the interface between two parallel fluid streams in a 2D microfluidic reactor. The growth rate of the precipitate is found to be proportional to the square root of time, which is characteristic of diffusive transport. However, the dependence of the growth rate on the concentrations of hydroxide and metal ions is approximately linear and quadratic, respectively. We show that such a difference in ionic transport dynamics arises from the enhanced transport of metal ions across a thin gel layer present at the surface of the precipitate. The fluctuations in transverse velocity in this wavy porous gel layer allow an enhanced transport of the cation, so that the effective diffusivity is about one order of magnitude higher than that expected from molecular diffusion alone. Our theoretical predictions are in excellent agreement with our laboratory measurements of the growth of a manganese hydroxide membrane in a microfluidic channel, and this enhanced transport is thought to have been needed to account for the bioenergetics of the first single-celled organisms.
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23
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Nakouzi E, Steinbock O. Self-organization in precipitation reactions far from the equilibrium. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2016; 2:e1601144. [PMID: 27551688 PMCID: PMC4991932 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1601144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Far from the thermodynamic equilibrium, many precipitation reactions create complex product structures with fascinating features caused by their unusual origins. Unlike the dissipative patterns in other self-organizing reactions, these features can be permanent, suggesting potential applications in materials science and engineering. We review four distinct classes of precipitation reactions, describe similarities and differences, and discuss related challenges for theoretical studies. These classes are hollow micro- and macrotubes in chemical gardens, polycrystalline silica carbonate aggregates (biomorphs), Liesegang bands, and propagating precipitation-dissolution fronts. In many cases, these systems show intricate structural hierarchies that span from the nanometer scale into the macroscopic world. We summarize recent experimental progress that often involves growth under tightly regulated conditions by means of wet stamping, holographic heating, and controlled electric, magnetic, or pH perturbations. In this research field, progress requires mechanistic insights that cannot be derived from experiments alone. We discuss how mesoscopic aspects of the product structures can be modeled by reaction-transport equations and suggest important targets for future studies that should also include materials features at the nanoscale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Nakouzi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306–4390, USA
| | - Oliver Steinbock
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306–4390, USA
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24
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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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25
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Nakouzi E, Knoll P, Hendrix KB, Steinbock O. Systematic characterization of polycrystalline silica–carbonate helices. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2016; 18:23044-52. [DOI: 10.1039/c6cp04153a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Biomorphs are complex, life-like structures that emerge from the precipitation of barium carbonate and amorphous silica in alkaline media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Nakouzi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Florida State University
- Tallahassee
- USA
| | - Pamela Knoll
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Florida State University
- Tallahassee
- USA
| | - Kenzie B. Hendrix
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Florida State University
- Tallahassee
- USA
| | - Oliver Steinbock
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Florida State University
- Tallahassee
- USA
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26
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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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27
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Luminescent tubular precipitation structures from reactant-loaded pellets. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2015.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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28
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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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29
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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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30
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Burcar BT, Barge LM, Trail D, Watson EB, Russell MJ, McGown LB. RNA Oligomerization in Laboratory Analogues of Alkaline Hydrothermal Vent Systems. ASTROBIOLOGY 2015; 15:509-522. [PMID: 26154881 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2014.1280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Discovering pathways leading to long-chain RNA formation under feasible prebiotic conditions is an essential step toward demonstrating the viability of the RNA World hypothesis. Intensive research efforts have provided evidence of RNA oligomerization by using circular ribonucleotides, imidazole-activated ribonucleotides with montmorillonite catalyst, and ribonucleotides in the presence of lipids. Additionally, mineral surfaces such as borates, apatite, and calcite have been shown to catalyze the formation of small organic compounds from inorganic precursors (Cleaves, 2008 ), pointing to possible geological sites for the origins of life. Indeed, the catalytic properties of these particular minerals provide compelling evidence for alkaline hydrothermal vents as a potential site for the origins of life since, at these vents, large metal-rich chimney structures can form that have been shown to be energetically favorable to diverse forms of life. Here, we test the ability of iron- and sulfur-rich chimneys to support RNA oligomerization reactions using imidazole-activated and non-activated ribonucleotides. The chimneys were synthesized in the laboratory in aqueous "ocean" solutions under conditions consistent with current understanding of early Earth. Effects of elemental composition, pH, inclusion of catalytic montmorillonite clay, doping of chimneys with small organic compounds, and in situ ribonucleotide activation on RNA polymerization were investigated. These experiments, under certain conditions, showed successful dimerization by using unmodified ribonucleotides, with the generation of RNA oligomers up to 4 units in length when imidazole-activated ribonucleotides were used instead. Elemental analysis of the chimney precipitates and the reaction solutions showed that most of the metal cations that were determined were preferentially partitioned into the chimneys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley T Burcar
- 1 New York Center for Astrobiology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , Troy, New York
- 2 Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , Troy, New York
| | - Laura M Barge
- 3 NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology , Pasadena, California
- 4 NASA Astrobiology Institute , Icy Worlds
| | - Dustin Trail
- 1 New York Center for Astrobiology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , Troy, New York
- 5 Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute School of Science , Troy, New York
| | - E Bruce Watson
- 1 New York Center for Astrobiology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , Troy, New York
- 5 Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute School of Science , Troy, New York
| | - Michael J Russell
- 3 NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology , Pasadena, California
- 4 NASA Astrobiology Institute , Icy Worlds
| | - Linda B McGown
- 1 New York Center for Astrobiology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , Troy, New York
- 2 Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , Troy, New York
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31
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Bohner B, Schuszter G, Horváth D, Tóth Á. Morphology control by flow-driven self-organizing precipitation. Chem Phys Lett 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2015.04.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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32
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Kiehl M, Kaminker V, Pantaleone J, Nowak P, Dyonizy A, Maselko J. Spontaneous formation of complex structures made from elastic membranes in an aluminum-hydroxide-carbonate system. CHAOS (WOODBURY, N.Y.) 2015; 25:064310. [PMID: 26117121 DOI: 10.1063/1.4922589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A popular playground for studying chemo-hydrodynamic patterns and instabilities is chemical gardens, also known as silicate gardens. In these systems, complex structures spontaneously form, driven by buoyant forces and either osmotic or mechanical pumps. Here, we report on systems that differ somewhat from classical chemical gardens in that the membranes are much more deformable and soluble. These properties lead to structures that self-construct and evolve in new ways. For example, they exhibit the formation of chemical balloons, a new growth mechanism for tubes, and also the homologous shrinking of these tubes. The stretching mechanism for the membranes is probably different than for other systems by involving membrane "self-healing." Other unusual properties are osmosis that sometimes occurs out of the structure and also small plumes that flow away from the structure, sometimes upwards, and sometimes downwards. Mathematical models are given that explain some of the observed phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micah Kiehl
- Chemistry Department, University of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska 99516, USA
| | - Vitaliy Kaminker
- Chemistry Department, University of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska 99516, USA
| | - James Pantaleone
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Technical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Nowak
- Department of Physics/Astronomy, University of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska 99516, USA
| | - Agnieszka Dyonizy
- Department of Physics/Astronomy, University of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska 99516, USA
| | - Jerzy Maselko
- Chemistry Department, University of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska 99516, USA
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33
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Barge LM, Abedian Y, Russell MJ, Doloboff IJ, Cartwright JHE, Kidd RD, Kanik I. From Chemical Gardens to Fuel Cells: Generation of Electrical Potential and Current Across Self-Assembling Iron Mineral Membranes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201501663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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34
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Barge LM, Abedian Y, Russell MJ, Doloboff IJ, Cartwright JHE, Kidd RD, Kanik I. From Chemical Gardens to Fuel Cells: Generation of Electrical Potential and Current Across Self-Assembling Iron Mineral Membranes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2015; 54:8184-7. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201501663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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