The integration of ion potentiometric measurements with chemical, structural, and morphological analysis to follow mineralization reactions in solution.

ABSTRACT

The solution crystallization of biominerals like calcium carbonate or calcium phosphate is a process that requires a high level of control over reaction kinetics. Ion potentiometric measurements are a way to follow and control reaction kinetics by measuring changes in pH and ion concentration, also allowing quantification of chemical compositions and solubility characteristics. By combining these measurements with various analysis techniques, one can acquire a complete spectrum of chemical, structural, and morphological data, even on metastable precursors. Therefore, in this chapter, the use of potentiometric measurements in standard solution crystallization experiments is described and the integration of these measurements with microscopy, spectroscopic and scattering analyses in such a way that the control over the reaction kinetics is maintained.