Polymer-directed formation of unusual CaCO3 pancakes with controlled surface structures

A double hydrophilic block copolymer (DHBC) is used as a crystal-growth modifier for controlled self-assembly of complex and unusual calcite pancakes with multiple stacked and porous layers (see Figure), based on a polymer-directed crystallization mechanism. The results demonstrate that it is possible to manipulate the ability of selective adsorption and stabilization of the DHBCs in order to control the directed crystal growth process.