Nano-Montmorillonite Regulated Crystallization of Hierarchical Strontium Carbonate in a Microbial Mineralization System

Abstract

In this paper, nano-montmorillonite (nano-MMT) was introduced into the microbial mineralization system of strontium carbonate (SrCO3). By changing the nano-MMT concentration and the mineralization time, the mechanism of mineralization was studied. SrCO3 superstructures with complex forms were acquired in the presence of nano-MMT as a crystal growth regulator. At low concentrations of nano-MMT, a cross-shaped SrCO3 superstructure was obtained. As the concentration increased, flower-like SrCO3 crystals formed via the dissolution and recrystallization processes. An emerging self-assembly process and crystal polymerization mechanism have been proposed by forming complex flower-like SrCO3 superstructures in high concentrations of nano-MMT. The above research indicated that unique bionic synthesis strategies in microbial systems could not only provide a useful route for the production of inorganic or inorganic/organic composites with a novel morphology and unique structure but also provide new ideas for the treatment of radionuclides.