Synthesis of aragonite nanofilament networks by mesoscale self-assembly and transformation in reverse microemulsions

The integration of nanosized components into functional materials and devices requires new technologies that provide reproducible processing and assembly of nanostructures across extended length scales. Current chemical approaches usually involve the controlled organization of preformed nanoparticles into relatively simple close-packed superstructures by solvent evaporation, molecular cross-linking, or programmed recognition, or through the use of patterned substrates. Such reactions are undertaken in complex media, such as water-in-oil microemulsions or aqueous solutions containing anionic polyelectrolytes, and result in the spontaneous organization of incipient inorganic-organic nanoparticles by mesoscale assembly and transformation of stable or metastable building blocks.