Ultra-smooth and space-filling mineral films generated via particle accretion processes

Nonclassical crystallization typically yields materials with pronounced roughness and porosity as it is driven by nanoparticle self-organization. Here, we demonstrate that bio-inspired nonclassical mineralization via magnesium-doped polymer-induced liquid precursors (PILP) can yield ultra-smooth and space-filling CaCO3 films featuring an unprecedented low roughness of 0.285 nm.