Persistent polyamorphism in the chiton tooth: From a new biomineral to inks for additive manufacturing
Abstract
Biomineralization is a highly successful strategy to create functionally graded materials with complex shape. Herein, we demonstrate that the rock-grazing mollusk Cryptochiton stelleri uses two amorphous, yet structurally distinct, phases in neighboring microarchitectural domains to reinforce its dentition. Nano-disperse santabarbaraite, an amorphous iron hydroxyphosphate, is present in the stylus, extending the range over which hardness and stiffness vary by at least a factor of two. Use of ferric phosphates with low iron and high water content may present a stratagem to create strong composites with low density. Indeed, we show that bio-inspired inks based on chitosan and mineral precursors allow three-dimensional printing of tunable composites strengthened by amorphous nanoparticles precipitated in situ.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jun 04, 2021
- Source ID
- 10.1073/pnas.2020160118
Entities
People
- Derk Joester
- Esen E Alp
- Linus Stegbauer
- Mark Hersam
- Paul J M Smeets
- Robert Free
- Shay G. Wallace
Organizations
- Argonne National Laboratory
- German Research Foundation
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
- National Science Foundation
- Northwestern University
- United States Army Research Laboratory