Catalysis and Biomimetics of Silicatein ("Silica Protein") Toward Hydrolysi and Concensaion of Zinc Oxide Precursors

Biosilicification is a process through which organisms produce silica at ambient temperatures, pressures and near-neutral pH's. One such organism that demonstrates biosilicification is the temperate demosponge, Tethya aurantia. This species contains spicules, silica fibers with central proteinaceous filaments. The proteins that make up the central filament were found to be catalytically active towards the hydrolysis and condensation of silicon alkoxides to yield silicon oxide (silica). Thus, these proteins were termed "silicateins" for silica proteins.
In our research, we are trying to determine if these silicateins are catalytically active towards the hydrolysis and condensation of other metal oxides such as gallium oxide and zinc oxide. Gallium oxide is a broad band semiconductor (4.9eV) that is useful in gas sensors and UV-emitters. Zinc oxide is another semiconductor that has light emitting and sensing applications.
We are testing various metal oxide precursor molecules to see if their hydrolysis is catalyzed by native silicatein filaments. In addition to this, we are producing self assembled monolayers (SAMS) with specific functional surfaces that "mimic" the catalytically active site in silicatein. The metal oxide precursors are then reacted in the presence of these functionalized SAMS to determine their effectiveness as a catalyst.