Interrogating Biomineralization One Amino Acid at a Time: Amplification of Mutational Effects in Protein-Aided Titania Morphogenesis through Reaction-Diffusion Control

To emulate the control that biomineralizing organisms exert over reactant transport, we construct a countercurrent reaction-diffusion chamber in which an agarose hydrogel regulates the fluxes of inorganic precursor and precipitating...

On the Mechanism of Bioinspired Formation of Inorganic Oxides: Structural Evidence of the Electrostatic Nature of the Interaction between a Mononuclear Inorganic Precursor and Lysozyme

Nature has evolved several molecular machineries to promote the formation at physiological conditions of inorganic materials, which would otherwise be formed in extreme conditions. The molecular determinants of this process have been established over the last decade, identifying a strong role of electrostatics in the first steps of the precipitation. However, no conclusive, structure-based evidence has been provided so far. In this manuscript, we test the binding of lysozyme with silica and titania potential precursors. In contrast with the absence of structural information about the interaction with the silica precursor, we observe the interaction with a mononuclear titanium(IV) species, which is found to occur in a region rich of positive charges.

New Pd/Co–Ni electrocatalysts for formic acid electrooxidation and their fabrication from inorganic precursor [Co0.14Ni1.86(dipic)2(phen)2(H2O)2]·4H2O

Novel Pd/Co–Ni oxide composites were developed as electrocatalysts for formic acid electro-oxidation as a process that can be utilised in fuel cells and electrochemical sensors.

Synthesis of chiral mesostructured titanium dioxide films

Chiral mesostructured TiO2 films (CMTFs) were synthesized by a hydrothermal method using l/d-mannitol as the symmetry-breaking agent and titanium foil as both the substrate and inorganic precursor.

Direct plasma printing of nano-gold from an inorganic precursor

A direct one-step nano-gold printing process from a HAuCl4 solution precursor is demonstrated using an atmospheric-pressure plasma jet.

Morphology control of BaCO3 by template and polymer–inorganic precursor

BaCO3 nanorods are prepared in pore channels modified with polyelectrolyte layers, combining with polymer–inorganic precursor to regulate crystallization process.

Preparation and in-system study of SnCl2 precursor layers: towards vacuum-based synthesis of Pb-free perovskites

Characterization of SnCl2 thin-films, inorganic precursor to Sn-based perovskites, UHV-deposited on Mo reveals widespread chemical structure along film layer profile.