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Preparation of biosilica structures from frustules of diatoms and their applications: current state and perspectives

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Abstract

Frustules, the silica shells of diatoms, have unique porous architectures with good mechanical strength. In recent years, biologists have learned more about the mechanism of biosilica shells formation; meanwhile, physicists have revealed their optical and microfluidic properties, and chemists have identified ways to modify them into various materials while maintaining their hierarchical structures. These efforts have provided more opportunities to use biosilica structures in microsystems and other commercial products. This review focuses on the preparation of biosilica structures and their applications, especially in the development of microdevices. We discuss existing methods of extracting biosilica from diatomite and diatoms, introduce methods of separating biosilica structures by shape and sizes, and summarize recent studies on diatom-based devices used for biosensing, drug delivery, and energy applications. In addition, we introduce some new findings on diatoms, such as the elastic deformable characteristics of biosilica structures, and offer perspectives on planting diatom biosilica in microsystems.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation of China (No. 51075020), the 863 Project of China (No. 2009AA043804), the National Special Fund of Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation of China (No. 2007B32) and the Doctoral Candidate Academic Newcomer Award of Beihang University.

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  1. Bionic and Micro/Nano/Bio Manufacturing Technology Research Center, School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, XueYuan Road No. 37, HaiDian District, Beijing, 100191, People’s Republic of China

    Yu Wang, Jun Cai, Yonggang Jiang, Xinggang Jiang & Deyuan Zhang

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  1. Yu Wang
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  2. Jun Cai
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  3. Yonggang Jiang
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Correspondence to Jun Cai or Deyuan Zhang.

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Wang, Y., Cai, J., Jiang, Y. et al. Preparation of biosilica structures from frustules of diatoms and their applications: current state and perspectives. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 97, 453–460 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-012-4568-0

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