Hybrid photosynthetic materials derived from microalgae Cyanidium caldarium encapsulated within silica gel.
Cyanidium caldarium (Tilden) Geitler SAG 16.91 has been encapsulated within a porous silica host structure to target novel photosynthetic hybrid materials suitable for use in solar cells or CO(2) fixation. C. caldarium cells are both thermophilic and acidophilic; on account of these tolerances the hybrid materials could be employed in more extreme heat conditions. TEM highlights that the external cell membrane can remain intact after encapsulation. The images reveal an alignment of silica gel around the external membrane of the cell, providing evidence that the cell wall acts as both a nucleation and polymerisation site for silica species and that the silica scaffold formed by the aggregation of colloidal particles, generates a porosity that can facilitate the transport of nutrients towards the cell. Epifluorescence microscopy and UV-visible spectroscopy have revealed the preservation of photosynthetic apparatus post-immobilisation. Productivity studies showed how the presence of silica nanoparticles within the matrix can adversely interact with the exterior cellular structures preventing the production of oxygen through photosynthesis.
Laboratoire de Chimie des Matériaux Inorganiques, The University of Namur (FUNDP), 61 Rue de Bruxelles, B-5000 Namur, Belgium.
Joanna Claire
JC
Rooke
Alexandre
A
Léonard
Christophe F
CF
Meunier
Hugo
H
Sarmento
Jean-Pierre
JP
Descy
Bao-Lian
BL
Su
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D010316:Particle Size; D010788:Photosynthesis; D016062:Porosity; D000461:Rhodophyta / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D013499:Surface Properties
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005782:Gels; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen