Study of the chemical and physical influences upon in vitro peptide-mediated silica formation.
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.
Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, 3005 Hobson Way, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton Ohio 45433-7702, USA.
Francisco
F
Rodríguez
Diana D
DD
Glawe
Rajesh R
RR
Naik
Kevin P
KP
Hallinan
Morley O
MO
Stone
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D011073:Polyamines / Q000737:chemistry; D000071228:Polyelectrolytes; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D055672:Static Electricity
D010455:Peptides; D011073:Polyamines; D000071228:Polyelectrolytes; D012822:Silicon Dioxide