(Bio)macromolecule directed synthesis of nano- and microparticles

Nanoparticles possess shape and size dependant properties that can be utilized in various applications such as microelectronics, optically active materials, sensors, etc. Methods involving the synthesis and organization of such nanoparticles or nanocrystals are thus of interest. Routes to attain the design and creation of desirable architectures by organization of pre-synthesized nanoparticles using (bio)macromolecules such as DNA have gained attention in recent years. We will discuss bioinspired strategies to synthesize nano- and microparticles based on the use of functional (bio)macromolecules. Such (bio)macromolecules typically facilitate (bio)mineralization via ionic bridges and hydrogen bonding with the growing minerals. These interactions facilitate the self organization of the (bio)macromolecules that can create appropriate scaffolds for structure direction of the growing (bio)minerals. In addition, catalytic residues/sites become available for facilitating the growth of the mineral phase. This mechanism can be exploited not only for silica synthesis but also for the synthesis and nano-patterning of various other systems based on aluminum, germanium, boron, tin, silver, gold, iron, calcium and so on. It is clear that future research in the field of biomineralization and biomimetic materials synthesis based on these concepts will be highly fruitful.