Morphological Evolution of Metal-Organic Frameworks into Hedrite, Sheaf and Spherulite Superstructures with Localized Different Coloration.

The branched metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are the first superstructures of this kind, and the growth mechanism may explain crystal shapes of other materials. The mechanism of the formation of fascinating structures having a hedrite, sheaf or spherulite appearance are detailed. The branching can be controlled, resulting in crystals that either exhibit multiple generations of branching or a single generation.

Cryo-tomography and 3D Electron Diffraction Reveal the Polar Habit and Chiral Structure of the Malaria Pigment Crystal Hemozoin.

Detoxification of heme in depends on its crystallization into hemozoin. This pathway is a major target of antimalarial drugs. The crystalline structure of hemozoin was established by X-ray powder diffraction using a synthetic analog, β-hematin.

Topotaxial mutual-exchange growth of magnetic Zintl EuInAs nanowires with axion insulator classification.

Due to quasi-one-dimensional confinement, nanowires possess unique electronic properties, which can promote specific device architectures. However, nanowire growth presents paramount challenges, limiting the accessible crystal structures and elemental compositions. Here we demonstrate solid-state topotactic exchange that converts wurtzite InAs nanowires into Zintl EuInAs.

Bio-Inspired Crystalline Core-Shell Guanine Spherulites.

Spherical particles with diameters within the wavelength of visible light, known as spherulites, manipulate light uniquely due to their spatial organization and their structural birefringence. Most of the known crystalline spherulites are branched, and composed of metals, alloys, and semi-crystalline polymers. Recently, a different spherulite architecture is discovered in the vision systems of decapod crustaceans - core-shell spherulites composed of highly birefringent ( ) organic single-crystal platelets, with exceptional optical properties.

Silica Biomineralization with Lignin Involves Si-O-C Bonds That Stabilize Radicals.

Plants undergo substantial biomineralization of silicon, which is deposited primarily in cell walls as amorphous silica. The mineral formation could be moderated by the structure and chemistry of lignin, a polyphenol polymer that is a major constituent of the secondary cell wall. However, the reactions between lignin and silica have not yet been well elucidated.