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CATALYSIS
AND BIOMIMETICS OF SILICATEIN ("SILICA PROTEIN") TOWARD
HYDROLYSIS AND CONCENSAION OF ZINC OXIDE PRECURSORS
Biosilicification is a process through which organisms produce silica
at ambient temperatures, pressures and near-neutral pH's. One such
organism that demonstrates biosilicification is the temperate demosponge,
Tethya aurantia. This species contains spicules, silica fibers with
central proteinaceous filaments. The proteins that make up the central
filament were found to be catalytically active towards the hydrolysis
and condensation of silicon alkoxides to yield silicon oxide (silica).
Thus, these proteins were termed "silicateins" for silica
proteins.
In our research, we are trying to determine if these silicateins
are catalytically active towards the hydrolysis and condensation
of other metal oxides such as gallium oxide and zinc oxide. Gallium
oxide is a broad band semiconductor (4.9eV) that is useful in gas
sensors and UV-emitters. Zinc oxide is another semiconductor that
has light emitting and sensing applications.
We are testing various metal oxide precursor molecules to see if
their hydrolysis is catalyzed by native silicatein filaments. In
addition to this, we are producing self assembled monolayers (SAMS)
with specific functional surfaces that "mimic" the catalytically
active site in silicatein. The metal oxide precursors are then reacted
in the presence of these functionalized SAMS to determine their
effectiveness as a catalyst.
Final presentation
not yet available to view as PDF
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