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

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Abstract

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 nano-particles (NPs)? (ii) Are these NPs toxic for the diatoms and—if so—what factors influence toxicity? (iii) What is the mechanism underlying IMP synthesis and subsequent metabolism? (iv) How can the obtained materials be useful for materials science?

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Acknowledgment

The authors thank the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft for financial support (grants no. BR1278/22-1 and BR1278/25-3).

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  1. Bioanalytical Chemistry, TU Dresden, Dresden, 01062, Germany

    Nathalie Pytlik & Eike Brunner

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  1. Nathalie Pytlik
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Nathalie Pytlik and Eike Brunner both did research and wrote this review paper.

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Pytlik, N., Brunner, E. Diatoms as potential “green” nanocomposite and nanoparticle synthesizers: challenges, prospects, and future materials applications. MRS Communications 8, 322–331 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1557/mrc.2018.34

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