Hydroxyapatite (HA) or Ca10(PO)6(OH)2 is one of several phosphate minerals present on the surface of the early Earth during the Hadean and Archean eons. Phosphorus is one of six essential elements for life, with minerals as a primary source for this element because it does not have a stable volatile phase. Despite the low solubility and reactivity of phosphate minerals in aqueous solution, phosphate is widely present in modern biochemistry. Phosphate makes up the backbone of nucleic acids (i.e., DNA and RNA), it is a principle component of energetic molecules (e.g., ATP and Co enzyme A), and phospholipids. Understanding the mechanism for the incorporation of phosphorus into modern biochemistry is important to understanding the origin of life. In order to study the mechanism of organophosphate formation by the reaction of phosphate minerals with prebiotic molecules, thin films of hydroxyapatite have been grown on conductive metal surfaces and reacted with urea-rich solutionsElectrodeposition by cyclic voltammetry was used to grow the films. Characterization of the mineral thin films was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), x-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and polarization-modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS). The mineral films were reacted with urea-rich solvents to study the dissolution and potential for phosphorylation by the mineral.

Surface chemistry of hydroxyapatite

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

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