A research team has successfully developed nanofibrous materials primarily composed of fluorapatite, the main inorganic component of shark teeth. In this study, the researchers achieved the synthesis of high-aspect-ratio fluorapatite nanofibers (FApNFs) through conformational control of acidic polymers in aquatic mild conditions. These nanofibers spontaneously formed ordered structures, exhibiting liquid-crystalline (LC) properties. The LC FApNFs also showed electric-field responsiveness, allowing their orientation to be controlled by external electric fields. By utilizing this electric-field responsiveness, the research team demonstrated the formation of anisotropic nanocomposite gels in which unidirectionally aligned FApNFs were immobilized. These gels exhibited anisotropic mechanical properties depending on the alignment of FApNFs.
The FApNFs developed in this study possess excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, while also being chemically stable and environmentally benign. These features make them promising candidates as next-generation inorganic nanofibers with low environmental impact.
Schematic illustration of the synthesis of liquid-crystalline fluorapatite nanofibers (FApNFs) and the development of anisotropic nanocomposite hydrogels with aligned nanofibers.
Papers
Journal: Advanced Materials
Title: Liquid-Crystalline Biomineral Nanofibers: 1D Inorganic Materials with a High Aspect Ratio and Anisotropic Self-Assembled Nanocomposites
Authors: Takahiro Mikami, Riki Kato, Nobuyoshi Miyamoto and Takashi Kato*
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