Synthesis of Ordered Biosilica Materials

Biogenic silica with amazing diversity of nanostructure shells,fibers and granules in diatoms and sponges is mediated by proteins and polysaccharides and forms at ambient pressure and temperatures.Chemical synthetic methods,in contrast,have to rely on extreme pH and /or surfactants to induce the condensation of silica precurors into specific patterns.One kind of benign synthesis method through plant cell wall template-directed ordered biosilica materials under ambient conditions in intriguing in this context.Organized silica materials in intercellular spaces of epidermal cells of tall fescue leaves were synthesized through molecular recognition between Si-OH and polysaccharide-OH or glycoprotein-OH of main components of plant cell walls and cellular processing as well when Si(OEt)4 was supplied rather than monosilicic acid.The biosynthesis of structural silica in tall fescue plant was correlated with the Si species applied,reflecting the slower condensation from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and thus providing greater opportunities for structural control by the underlying matrix of cell walls.The composition was estimated by energy dispersive X-ray(EDX) spectra on a scanning electron microscope.All organized structures showed carbon,oxygen and silicon peaks,indication that their formations differ from natural siliceous process.

Synthesis of Ordered Biosilica Materials

Biogenic silica with amazing diversity of nanostructure shells, fibers and granules in diatoms and sponges is mediated by proteins and polysaccharides and forms at ambient pressure and temperatures. Chemical synthetic methods, in contrast, have to rely on extreme pH and/or surfactants to induce the condensation of silica precursors into specific patterns. One kind of benign synthesis method through plant cell wall template-directed ordered biosilica materials under ambient conditions is intriguing in this context. Organized silica materials in intercellular spaces of epidermal cells of tall fescue leaves were synthesized through molecular recognition between Si-OH and polysaccharide-OH or glycoprotein-OH of main components of plant cell walls and cellular processing as well when Si(OEt) 4 was supplied rather than monosilicic acid. The biosynthesis of structural silica in tall fescue plant was correlated with the Si species applied, reflecting the slower condensation from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and thus providing greater opportunities for structural control by the underlying matrix of cell walls. The composition was estimated by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra on a scanning electron microscope. All organized structures showed carbon, oxygen and silicon peaks, indicating that their formations differ from natural siliceous process