Phase Separation of Oppositely Charged Polymers Regulates Bioinspired Silicification

In nature, simple organisms evolved mechanisms to form intricate biosilica nanostructures, far exceeding current synthetic manufacturing. Based on the properties of extracted biomacromolecules, polycation–polyanion pairs were suggested as moderators of biosilica formation. However, the chemical prin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2022-04, Vol.61 (17), p.e202115930-n/a
Main Authors: Zhai, Hang, Bendikov, Tatyana, Gal, Assaf
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bioinspired Materials
Biomimetics
Complex Coacervation
Diatoms
Electron microscopy
Ionic strength
Liquid phases
Liquid–Liquid Phase Separation
Moderators
Morphology
Nanostructured Silica
Nanostructures
Phase separation
Polyelectrolytes
Polymers
Polymers - chemistry
Precipitates
Silica
Silicon dioxide
Silicon Dioxide - chemistry
Static Electricity
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Summary:In nature, simple organisms evolved mechanisms to form intricate biosilica nanostructures, far exceeding current synthetic manufacturing. Based on the properties of extracted biomacromolecules, polycation–polyanion pairs were suggested as moderators of biosilica formation. However, the chemical principles of this polymer‐induced silicification remain unclear. Here, we used a biomimetic polycation–polyanion system to study polymer‐induced silicification. We demonstrate that it is the polymer phase separation process, rather than silica–polymer interactions, which controls silica precipitation. Since ionic strength controls this electrostatic phase separation, it can be used to tune the morphology and structure of the precipitates. In situ cryo electron microscopy highlights the pivotal role of the hydrated polymer condensates in this process. These results pave the road for developing nanoscale morphologies of bioinspired silica based on the chemistry of liquid‐liquid phase separation. A bioinspired silicification process is reported, which is triggered by the phase separation of oppositely charged polymers. Since ionic strength is controlling the electrostatic phase separation process, it can be used to tune the morphology and structure of the silica precipitates.
ISSN:1433-7851
1521-3773
1521-3773
DOI:10.1002/anie.202115930