Diatoms as potential "green" nanocomposite and nanoparticle synthesizers: challenges, prospects, and future materials applications

作者：Pytlik Nathalie; Brunner Eike^*

来源：MRS Communications, 2018, 8(2): 322-331.

DOI：10.1557/mrc.2018.34

Diatoms are unicellular, eukaryotic microalgae inhabiting nearly all aquatic habitats. They are famous for their micro- and nanopatterned silica-based cell walls, which are envisioned for various technologic purposes. Within this review article, we summarize recent in vivo modifications of diatom biosilica with respect to the following questions: (i) Which metals are taken up by diatoms and eventually processed into nanoparticles (NPs)? (ii) Are these NPs toxic for the diatoms and--if so--what factors influence toxicity? (iii) What is the mechanism underlying NP synthesis and subsequent metabolism? (iv) How can the obtained materials be useful for materials science?

• 出版日期2018-6