The effects of Mg and H on apatite nucleation at silica surfaces

Apatite (Ca₁₀[PO₄]₆[OH]₂) precipitation from aqueous solutions involves multiple steps, such as nucleation of a precursor calcium phosphate phase, cluster aggregation, crystal growth, and transformation to apatite, which are affected by the presence of other ions in solution. I report the mechanisms by which two ions common in natural solutions, Mg²⁺ and H⁺, affect heterogeneous calcium phosphate nucleation on the amorphous silica surface.