Biomimetic Synthesis of Calcium Bilirubinate in Different Inverse Microemulsions

Three inverse microemulsions, such as Triton X‐100/n‐hexyl alcohol/cyclohexane/water, containing tyrosine (Tyr) or tryptophan (Trp) were selected as the template to induce nucleation and growth of calcium bilirubinate (CaBR) crystal. CaBRs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), Ultraviolet‐visible spectra (UV‐vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Zeta potential, respectively. The experimental results showed that the different CaBR nanocrystals were successfully synthesized in inverse microemulsions. Surfactants and amino acids (AAs) played important roles in the formation of CaBR nanocrystals. AAs affected microstructure, morphology, agglomeration and crystallizability of CaBR. The possible growth mechanism of CaBR nanocrystals was studied in different microemulsions.

Keywords:

• Amino acid
• biomimetic synthesis
• biomineralization
• calcium bilirubinate
• inverse microemulsion

Acknowledgments

The National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract numbers 20031010, 20371001 and 20471001 supported this research work.