This project is to research the synthesis of two classes of materials. The first is biominerals, in particular, calcium carbonate, a well defined model in biomineralization studies. The objective here is develop systems for the control of crystal size and morphology. The biomimetic environments selected are those that exert spatial and structural control of mineralization. Reversed micelles and Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films will be used. In addition, the role of proteins that regulate mineralization through geometric and stereochemical lattice matching will be investigated. The second class of materials is semiconductor nanoclusters of zinc and cadmium sulfides and selenides. Synthesis will again be approached through the use of reverse micelle environments. Control in-situ is to be carried out by a novel approach using clathrate hydrate formation, and this project will examine the effects of hydrate formation on particle size and structure.
