Study of the Chemical and Physical Influences upon in Vitro Peptide-Mediated Silica Formation

Abstract

Herein, we report on the ability to create complex 2-D and 3-D silica networks in vitro via polycationic peptide-mediated biosilicification under experimentally altered chemical and physical influences. These structures differ from the sphere-like silica network of particles obtained in vitro under static conditions. Under chemical influences, overall morphologies were observed to shift from a characteristic network of sphere-like silica particles to a sheetlike structure in the presence of -OH groups from additives and to sharp-edged, platelike structures in the presence of larger polycationic peptide matrixes. Under physical influences, using externally applied force fields, overall silica morphologies were observed to transition from sphere-like to fiberlike and dendrite-like structures. These findings could lead to the future development of bio-inspired complex 2-D and 3-D silica micro- and nano-devices.

Silicic acid condensation under the influence of water-soluble polymers: from biology to new materials

“…24,61,62,[65][66][67][68][69][70][71][75][76][77]98,99,[106][107][108]111,112,114,117,121,124,134,135,137,139,143,149,153,155,157 These variants exist in the case of relatively low silicon content in the system, when all PSA nanoparticles can nd chains of organic polymer. Further increase in the silicic acid content results in formation of insoluble non-uniform products 64,83 because of cross-linking by means of silicic acid which was condensed independent of the polymer control.…”

Poriferan Chitin as a Versatile Template for Extreme Biomimetics

“…In particular, the 2D and 3D nanostructural biocomposite-based scaffolds are crucial for a broad variety of advanced applications [147,148]. Biomimetic synthesis of materials is carried out with various biomolecules; especially enzymes [146], proteins [149,150] peptides [151,152] and polysaccharides [153][154][155][156][157]. These biomacromolecules play an important role in nucleation, thermodynamic and kinetic control of crystal growth, and also can be used as soft templates for inorganic structures [143].…”

“…These biomacromolecules play an important role in nucleation, thermodynamic and kinetic control of crystal growth, and also can be used as soft templates for inorganic structures [143]. However, traditionally, approaches related to the in vitro biomimetic mineralization of organic templates are carried out at temperatures between 20 and 37 °C and at near-neutral pH [149][150][151][152][153][154][155][156][157][158]. It is assumed that biological materials, especially protein-based ones, are not stable at temperatures higher than 40 °C.…”

Learning from Diatoms: Nature's Tools for the Production of Nanostructured Silica

“…[28] A variety of block copolypeptides was also shown to be capable of precipitating structured silica. [29] Rodriguez et al [30] have studied the influence of various chemical and physical parameters upon the morphology of peptide-mediated silica. A detailed analysis of the formation of spherical assemblies of various polypeptides as well as polyamines induced by properly chosen anions together with imaging studies of the silicified assemblies was recently performed by McKenna et al [31] These studies revealed that the outer surface of the polypeptide assemblies is chemically active and can be covered with a siliceous shell by adding colloidal silica to the solutions.…”