title: Magnesiothermic conversion of the silica-mineralizing golden algae Mallomonas caudata and Synura petersenii to elemental silicon with high geometric precision.
abstract: Chrysophyceae, also known as golden algae, contain characteristic, three-dimensional biomineralized silica structures. Their chemical composition and microscopic structure was studied. By high-temperature conversion of the skeleton of Mallomonas caudata and Synura petersenii into elementary silicon by magnesium vapour, nanostructured defined replicates were produced which were clearly seen after removal of the formed magnesium oxide with acid.
authors.affiliation: Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstr. 5-7, 45141 Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Janina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Petrack
authors.affiliation: Department of Biodiversity, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstr. 5-7, 45141 Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jost
authors.affiliation: Department of Biodiversity, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstr. 5-7, 45141 Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boenigk
authors.affiliation: Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstr. 5-7, 45141 Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Epple
keywords: biomineralization; golden algae; magnesiothermic conversion; silica; silicon