The evolution of biomineral prenucleation species: Real-time nuclear magnetic resonance in liquids and solids – RealTimeNMR

The classical nucleation theory was recently challenged by the observation of stable and soluble pre-nucleation species (PNS) prior to formation of many solid materials. This suggests non-classical crystallization pathways (NCP) as key route towards various chemical architectures. However, the quasi-absence of structural and dynamical data related to PNS obscures rationalization of NCP; despite its importance in materials science. Biomineralization processes are ideal candidates to tackle this shortcoming as biominerals (calcium carbonate or phosphate) are forming via PNS. Yet, methods providing the time resolution required for the study of such out-of-equilibrium chemical processes are lacking. This project aims at developing original real-time NMR methods to describe transient species, including PNS at the atomistic level during the course of crystallization. This will be realized through innovative combination of hyperpolarized liquid and solid state NMR approaches.