Emerging Biomineralization of Organic Photonic Crystalline Materials: Ultrastructure, Formation Mechanism, and Optical Function

Biomineralization is an important strategy for constructing mineral materials with excellent structure and properties. Organic biominerals exquisitely manipulate light, whereas inorganic biominerals are known for their mechanical strength. This progress report discusses the latest advances in the discovery and development of bioorganic molecules and crystalline materials, biomineralization mechanisms, the principles and theory of how ultrastructures produce optical properties, and relevant functional applications in biological and material fields. In particular, the discovery of bioorganic photonic crystalline materials has been remarkably extended from guanine alone to purines, pteridines, and flavins. Additionally, ultrastructural materials that function as light scatterers in living organisms were found to be produced by the nonclassical crystallization mechanism via amorphous precursors and oriented attachment. Further, the new biological function of the ultracompact reflector, composed of isoxanthopterin hollow nanospheres, was disclosed to dynamically adapt to various habitat environments. This report integrates materials and biological sciences to achieve a comprehensive view of organic biomineralization, inspiring the future development of advanced optical materials.