Effect of dendrimers on the crystallization of calcium carbonate in aqueous solution

Construction of organic-inorganic hybrid materials with controlled mineralization analogous to those produced by nature is now a current interest for both organic and inorganic chemists to understand the mechanism of natural biomineralization processes as well as to seek industrial and technological applications. Model systems, in which low-molecular-weight, linear polymeric organic materials have been used to study the effect of molecular properties such as charge and functionality on inorganic crystallization, are providing insights into the possible mechanisms operating in biology. Due to unique and well-defined secondary structures of the dendrimers, the starburst dendrimers should be a good candidate for studying inorganic crystallization. This review provides a general survey of recent research on crystal nucleation and growth of calcium carbonate by a carboxylic acid derivative of hyperbranched polyphenylene polymer, poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers with carboxylate groups at the external surface, and poly(propyleneimine) dendrimers modified with long aliphatic chains.