Biomineralization-inspired synthesis of functional organic/inorganic hybrid materials: organic molecular control of self-organization of hybrids

Abstract

Organisms produce various organic/inorganic hybrid materials, which are called biominerals. They form through the self-organization of organic molecules and inorganic elements under ambient conditions. Biominerals often have highly organized and hierarchical structures from nanometer to macroscopic length scales, resulting in their remarkable physical and chemical properties that cannot be obtained by simple accumulation of their organic and inorganic constituents. These observations motivate us to create novel functional materials exhibiting properties superior to conventional materials--both synthetic and natural. Herein, we introduce recent progress in understanding biomineralization processes at the molecular level and the development of organic/inorganic hybrid materials by these processes. We specifically outline fundamental molecular studies on silica, iron oxide, and calcium carbonate biomineralization and describe material synthesis based on these mechanisms. These approaches allow us to design a variety of advanced hybrid materials with desired morphologies, sizes, compositions, and structures through environmentally friendly synthetic routes using functions of organic molecules.

Morphological control of layered double hydroxide through a biomimetic approach using carboxylic and sulfonic acids

“…2 and 3). These results imply that the AA slightly inhibits nucleation of LDH, resulting in larger LDH formation because the amounts of ions, such as Mg 2+ , Al 3+ , CO 3 2− and OH − , supplied for one LDH nucleus were increased. Flower-shaped precipitates were observed in the PA-LDH and EA-LDH.…”

“…Biomimetic synthesis of inorganic crystals with controlled morphology, including crystal assemblies, has received much attention in the field of materials chemistry [1][2][3]. Living organisms use soluble organic molecules and insoluble organic templates to precisely control the morphology of inorganic crystals in their hard tissues [4].…”

Synthesis of manganese phosphate hybrid nanoflowers by collagen-templated biomineralization

“…Biomineralization is a classical process widely used by nature to produce proteininorganic materials with exceptional functionality and delicate morphology, including bones and teeth as typical examples. [5][6][7][8] Proteins serve as excellent bio-templates to control the nucleation and growth of inorganic materials in living organisms. Inspired by nature, protein-based biomineralization has been extensively explored to generate a variety of inorganic nanomaterials such as calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate.…”

Novel Method for the Identification of the Variety of Grape Using Their Capability to Form Gold Nanoparticles

“…In green synthesis, biomolecules (chitosan, polysaccharides, proteins, phenols, etc.) [2][3][4][5][6][7] and plant extracts (such as alfalfa, oats, coffee, onion, pear, banana, lemon grass extract, etc.) [8][9][10][11] are used as both the reducing agent and the stabilizer.…”