Layered Double Hydroxides in Bioinspired Nanotechnology

Abstract

Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) are a relevant class of inorganic lamellar nanomaterials that have attracted significant interest in life science-related applications, due to their highly controllable synthesis and high biocompatibility. Under a general point of view, this class of materials might have played an important role for the origin of life on planet Earth, given their ability to adsorb and concentrate life-relevant molecules in sea environments. It has been speculated that the organic–mineral interactions could have permitted to organize the adsorbed molecules, leading to an increase in their local concentration and finally to the emergence of life. Inspired by nature, material scientists, engineers and chemists have started to leverage the ability of LDHs to absorb and concentrate molecules and biomolecules within life-like compartments, allowing to realize highly-efficient bioinspired platforms, usable for bioanalysis, therapeutics, sensors and bioremediation. This review aims at summarizing the latest evolution of LDHs in this research field under an unprecedented perspective, finally providing possible challenges and directions for future research.

Six ‘Must-Have’ Minerals for Life’s Emergence: Olivine, Pyrrhotite, Bridgmanite, Serpentine, Fougerite and Mackinawite

“…Moreover, Tosca and collaborators [ 73 ] demonstrate the generation of hydrogen as green rust is oxidized by water which would provide another source of H 2 at an alkaline vent. And Arrabito and collaborators [ 159 ] demonstrate a general consanguinity between life and green rust as they also draw attention to how the biocompatibility of the double layer hydroxides, including green rust, have been extensively exploited in the biomedical industry. Yet to be tested are (i) the presumed potential of green rust situated in the membrane to also act as a proton wire, a proton pyrophosphatase, methane monooxygenase, polymerase and (ii) as an engine of synthesis in the production of aromatic rings (cf.…”

“…Computer simulations have provided insights that help in the planning of such experiments [ 159 , 168 , 169 , 170 ]. And the relatively recent development of operando techniques should allow demonstrations of, for example, coupling of steep redox/pH gradients along the metal and hydrous layers respectively including reductive recharge, to the driving of other endergonic reactions [ 171 ].…”

Layered Double Hydroxides

“…Finally, the role of LDHs as catalysts in relevant organic chemistry reactions and their emerging application in cellular biology were extensively reviewed by Arrabito et al [8], highlighting the conspicuous studies focusing on the synthesis, characterization, and applications of LDH-based systems. In a second review article [9], the same authors reviewed the role of LDHs in the scenario of bioinspired nanomaterials research and applications thereof. This work provides a possible link between the role of LDHs in the origin of life and the formation of pre-biotic molecules, to inspire the fabrication of artificial LDH-based compartments that mimic prebiotic assemblies.…”

The “Water Problem”(sic), the Illusory Pond and Life’s Submarine Emergence—A Review

“…10. In AVT, information transfer would have emerged coupled to protometabolism “in materio” in the green rust/fougerite interlayers: a fertile research area that begins to converge with research in emergence of intrinsic computing, nanoscience and nanotechnology [ 1 , 34 , 215 , 216 , 311 , 334 , 342 , 343 , 344 , 345 , 346 , 347 , 348 , 349 , 350 , 351 , 352 , 353 , 354 , 355 , 356 , 357 , 358 , 359 , 360 ].…”