Macromolecule mediated bioinspired silica synthesis using a diol-modified silane precursor

Following recent investigations on the role of synthetic and biological macromolecules in silicification and biosilicification, we report here the bioinspired synthesis of silica structures under ambient conditions and neutral pH mediated by two synthetic macromolecules. In this research ethylene glycol modified silane (EGMS) was used as the silica precursor. The macromolecules used were either poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) or poly-l-lysine (PLL), both being cationically charged at neutral pH in an aqueous medium. Mild conditions that constitute the bioinspired or biomimetic synthesis were used to compare the behaviour of the EGMS to other silica precursors. The products were characterised by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The formation of well-defined spherical silica particles (for both PAH and PLL) and hexagons (for PLL only), was shown by electron microscopy. In addition, it was also found that these macromolecules were incorporated into the silica products, thus fulfilling the dual role of catalysts and structure directing agents in a similar fashion to that described in the literature for the formation of (bio)silica, as facilitated by (bio)macromolecules.This paper is dedicated to Mike Owen on occasion of his winning the DeBruyn medal, the first silicon chemist to do so.