Bioenabled Synthesis of Rutile (TiO₂) at Ambient Temperature and Neutral pH

Abstract

Biomineral-forming organisms provide inspiration for developing new reaction pathways to functional materials, such as rutile for optical devices. A recombinant protein (rSilC) was designed based on the sequence of a silica-forming protein from a diatom. This unique protein induced the formation of hierarchically nanostructured rutile microcrystals under mild reaction conditions (see SEM image). Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2002/2006/z601871_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.