title: Cryogenic electron tomography reveals the template effect of chitosan in biomimetic silicification.
abstract: Chitosan (CS) can mediate the formation of spherical, tabulate, and unique starfruit-like silica in the presence of phosphate ions (Pi). CryoTEM and cryoET were used to examine the CS aggregates in the hydrated state. 3D starfruit-like CS/Pi aggregates were reconstructed, which unambiguously confirmed the templating effect of CS/Pi in biomimetic silicification.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers of Ministry of Education, Advanced Materials Laboratory, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Boxun
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Leng
authors.forename: Zhengzhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Paul H H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Bomans
authors.forename: Laura J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Brylka
authors.forename: Nico A J M
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Sommerdijk
authors.forename: Gijsbertus
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de With
authors.forename: Weihua
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ming
mesh_terms: D032701:Biomimetics / Q000379:methods*; D002236:Carbohydrate Conformation; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D055032:Electron Microscope Tomography; D008958:Models, Molecular; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D048271:Chitosan