Biomimetic synthesis of silica nanospheres depends on the aggregation and phase separation of polyamines in aqueous solution

• DOI: 10.1039/b313261g
• Publication Date: 2004-02-10T14:58:24Z
• Authors: Eike Brunner; Katharina Lutz; Manfred Sumper
• Keywords: Silicic acid

Long-chain polyamines extracted from the highly siliceous cell walls of diatoms are known to precipitate silica nanospheres aqueous, silicic-acid containing solutions at near-neutral pH in vitro. The same is true for synthetic such as polyallylamine. In present contribution we show that microscopic phase separation polyallylamine aqueous solution strictly correlated with precipitation activity polyallylamine/silicic acid solutions. Multivalent anions phosphate or sulfate efficiently induce this separation. At higher anion concentrations, macroscopic occurs. contrast multivalent and ions, monovalent chloride ions much less efficient aggregate formation.