Silicification and biosilicification : role of macromolecules

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Patwardhan, S V and Clarson, S J (2003) Silicification and biosilicification : role of macromolecules. Abstracts of papers - American Chemical Society, 225. U22-U22. ISSN 0065-7727

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Abstract

Precipitated silica is synthesized commercially by neutralizing sodium silicate solution under harsh conditions of pH and temperature. In contrast, the formation of ornate silica structures in biological systems (biosilicification) occurs at (or close to) pH 7, under ambient conditions and is thought to be mediated by proteins. Determination of the primary sequences of these proteins has led to the identification of various amino acids that have been proposed to be important in biosilicification. The corresponding synthetic polyamino acids are now being successfully used in bioinspired materials chemistry for developing new materials and processes. Here we report the formation of the ordered silica structures in vitro facilitated by various synthetic polypeptides and polymers under ambient conditions and neutral pH. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used for studying the silica morphology and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) to verify the formation of silica. These macromolecules are cationically charged at neutral pH and are believed to act as catalysts / templates / scaffolds for the formation of silica in vitro in analogous fashion to certain biomacromolecules that are able to facilitate silicification / biosilicification.

  • Item type:Article
    ID code:31561
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    March 2003
    Published
    Subjects:UNSPECIFIED
    Department:Faculty of Engineering > Chemical and Process Engineering
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:12 Aug 2011 14:25
    Last modified:11 Nov 2024 09:46
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/31561
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