A native isolate of the colonial benthic diatom Staurosirella pinnata was cultivated for biosilica production. The silicified cell walls (frustules) were used as a source of homogeneous and structurally predictable porous biosilica for dye trapping and random laser applications. This was coupled with the extraction of lipids from biomass showing potential to fabricate photoactive composite materials sustainably. The strain was selected for its ease of growth in culture and harvesting. Biosilica and lipids were obtained at the end of growth in indoor photobioreactors. Frustules were structurally characterized microscopically and their chemistry analyzed with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Frustule capacity of binding laser dyes was evaluated on a set of frustules/Rhodamine B (Rho B) solutions and with respect to silicon dioxide and diatomite by Fluorescence Spectroscopy demonstrating a high affinity for the organic dye. The effect of dye trapping property in conveying Rho B emission to frustules, with enhancement of scattering events, was analyzed on Rho B doped polyacrylamide gels filled or not with frustules. Amplified spontaneous emission was recorded at increasing pump power indicating the onset of a random laser effect in frustule filled gels at lower power threshold compared to unfilled matrices.

De Angelis, R., Melino, S.m., Prosposito, P., Casalboni, M., Lamastra, F.r., Nanni, F., et al. (2016). The diatom Staurosirella pinnata for photoactive material production. PLOS ONE, 11(11), e0165571 [10.1371/journal.pone.0165571].

The diatom Staurosirella pinnata for photoactive material production

MELINO, SONIA MICHAELA;PROSPOSITO, PAOLO;CASALBONI, MAURO;LAMASTRA, FRANCESCA ROMANA;NANNI, FRANCESCA;BRUNO, LAURA;CONGESTRI, ROBERTA
2016-10-01

Abstract

A native isolate of the colonial benthic diatom Staurosirella pinnata was cultivated for biosilica production. The silicified cell walls (frustules) were used as a source of homogeneous and structurally predictable porous biosilica for dye trapping and random laser applications. This was coupled with the extraction of lipids from biomass showing potential to fabricate photoactive composite materials sustainably. The strain was selected for its ease of growth in culture and harvesting. Biosilica and lipids were obtained at the end of growth in indoor photobioreactors. Frustules were structurally characterized microscopically and their chemistry analyzed with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Frustule capacity of binding laser dyes was evaluated on a set of frustules/Rhodamine B (Rho B) solutions and with respect to silicon dioxide and diatomite by Fluorescence Spectroscopy demonstrating a high affinity for the organic dye. The effect of dye trapping property in conveying Rho B emission to frustules, with enhancement of scattering events, was analyzed on Rho B doped polyacrylamide gels filled or not with frustules. Amplified spontaneous emission was recorded at increasing pump power indicating the onset of a random laser effect in frustule filled gels at lower power threshold compared to unfilled matrices.
ott-2016
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore BIO/03 - BOTANICA AMBIENTALE E APPLICATA
Settore BIO/10 - BIOCHIMICA
Settore ING-IND/22 - SCIENZA E TECNOLOGIA DEI MATERIALI
English
Con Impact Factor ISI
frustules, dye trapping, random laser
De Angelis, R., Melino, S.m., Prosposito, P., Casalboni, M., Lamastra, F.r., Nanni, F., et al. (2016). The diatom Staurosirella pinnata for photoactive material production. PLOS ONE, 11(11), e0165571 [10.1371/journal.pone.0165571].
De Angelis, R; Melino, Sm; Prosposito, P; Casalboni, M; Lamastra, Fr; Nanni, F; Bruno, L; Congestri, R
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/168808
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