Figure 16. A schematic representation of the different stages of a surface-directed mineralization of calcium orthophosphates. In stage 1, aggregates of pre-nucleation clusters are in equilibrium with ions in solution. The clusters approach a surface with chemical functionality. In stage 2, pre-nucleation clusters aggregate near the surface, with loose aggregates still in solution. In stage 3, further aggregation causes densification near the surface. In stage 4, nucleation of spherical particles of ACP occurs at the surface only. In stage 5, crystallization occurs in the region of the ACP particles directed by the surface. Reprinted from references 628 and 828 with permission.