Crystallization by Amorphous Particle Attachment: On the Evolution of Texture

Crystallization by particle attachment (CPA) is a gradual process where each step has its own thermodynamic and kinetic constrains defining unique pathway of crystal growth. An important example biomineralization calcium carbonate through amorphous precursors that are morphed into shapes textural patterns cannot be envisioned the classical monomer-by-monomer approach. Here, mechanistic link between collective kinetics mineral deposition emergence crystallographic texture established. Using prismatic ultrastructure in bivalve shells as model, fundamental leap made ability to analytically describe evolution form biological mineralized tissues design structure properties synthetic materials formed CPA.