Bio-inspired synthesis of polymer–inorganic nanocomposite materials in mild aqueous systems

It is increasingly important that we learn how to fabricate materials in environmentally friendly ways using common resources that are abundant in nature. Biomineralization, the process by which living organisms create a variety of sophisticated composites, such as bone and shell, is an ideal model for such fabrication. This article reviews recent progress toward the synthesis of polymer–inorganic composite materials inspired by biomineralization. In particular, three reaction systems are focused upon: (1) polymer–calcium carbonate thin film composites synthesized by interaction among insoluble polymer, soluble acidic polymer, and inorganic ions, (2) polymer nanogel–calcium phosphate composite nanoparticles synthesized on scaffolds of hydrogel nanoparticles and (3) colloidal silica nanoparticles made to self-assemble into anisotropic chain-like structures by interaction with block copolymers. All these reaction systems involve aqueous environments at ambient temperature and pressure. Polymer Journal (2013) 45, 269–276; doi:10.1038/pj.2012.171; published online 19 September 2012