The Nucleation Mechanism of Fluorapatite–Collagen Composites: Ion Association and Motif Control by Collagen Proteins

Abstract

Apatite for the structure: Nucleation mechanisms of apatite–collagen composites at the atomistic level of detail have been investigated. Peculiar motifs of the apatite crystal structure were identified in which formation is promoted by ion association to the biomolecule. Apart from acting as a nucleation seed for ionic ordering, collagen triple helices (see picture; red bands) also induce orientation control in these motifs.