Simultaneous synthesis of different structures of calcium oxalate by living bi-template

Biomimetic living bi-templates, mung bean sprouts (MBS), were employed to control the crystallization of calcium oxalate dehydrate (COD). Two kinds of crystals in different shapes were simultaneously grown on the outer surface and the inner stem wall of MBS respectively. The whole process is in the living system that material flow and energy exchange ceaselessly. The products were respectively characterized by SEM, XRD. A presumable mechanism is proposed. (C) 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.