The Effects of Amino Acids on the Polymorphs and Magnesium Content of Calcium–Magnesium Carbonate Minerals
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Calcium–magnesium (Ca–Mg) carbonates are among the most widely distributed carbonates in the Earth’s surface environment, and their formation mechanisms are of great significance for revealing geological environmental changes and carbon sequestration processes. In this study, the gas diffusion method was employed with L-glutamic acid, L-glycine, and L-lysine as nucleation templates for carbonate minerals to systematically investigate their regulatory effects on the mineralization of Ca–Mg carbonates. The results demonstrated that L-glycine, with the shortest length, was more conducive to forming aragonite, whereas acidic L-glutamic acid, which contains more carboxyl groups, was more beneficial for the structural stability of aragonite. The morphology of the Ca-Mg carbonate minerals became more diverse and promoted the formation of spherical and massive mineral aggregates under the action of amino acids. Moreover, the amino acids significantly increased the MgCO3 content in Mg calcite (L-glutamic acid: 10.86% > L-glycine: 7.91% > L-lysine: 6.63%). The acidic L-glutamic acid likely promotes the dehydration and incorporation of Mg2+ into the Mg calcite lattice through the preferential adsorption of Mg2+ via its side-chain carboxyl groups. This study shows how amino acid functional groups influence Ca–Mg carbonate mineralization and provides insights into biogenic Mg-rich mineral origins and advanced mineral material synthesis.
Source: Minerals
DOI: 10.3390/min15070763
Authors: Chonghong Zhang, Yuyang Jiang, Shuhao Qian
Institution: Anhui Normal University
Language: English
Subfield: Biomaterials
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
OpenAlex ID: W4412518076