Growth and self-assembly of BaCrO4 and BaSO4 nanofibers toward hierarchical and repetitive superstructures by polymer-controlled mineralization reactions

Highly ordered funnel-like BaCrO4 Superstructures with a complex form and a remarkable self-similar growth pattern as well as very long BaSO4 fiber bundles with repetitive growth patterns can be readily generated by using sodium polyacrylate as a structure directing agent in the mineralization process. The formation of fibers and fiber bundles as well as finer morphological details can be effected by variations of the temperature, pH, and concentration.