Stable Amorphous CaCO3 Microparticles with Hollow Spherical Superstructures Stabilized by Phytic Acid

Amorphous CaCO3 (ACC) is stabilized by the presence of phytic acid, a natural inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6). Micrometer-sized hollow spheres of ACC have been obtained (see Figure). The spheres are stable for at least three months in solution, which is equivalent to that described for more complex special biopolymers in biomineralization processes, and by far exceeds the previously known stability of ACC prepared in the presence of synthetic molecules. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2089/2005/c0747_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.