(481d) Novel Nano-Bio Materials Synthesis Approach: Immobilization, Interaction and Activity of Bio-Catalysts in CVD-Derived Silica Matrix

There is indeed an essential need for a simple, reliable, and efficient technology to immobilize biocatalyst for sensor, fuel cell, energy harvesting, and bio remediation applications. Here we present a one-step room temperature based CVD technique for synthesis of hybrid biomaterials using silica-based precursors. The vapor phase approach eliminates the use of acids, bases, and co-solvents such as ethanol, which are commonly employed in sol-gel synthesis. Typically, a solution containing respective bio molecule is generally exposed to silica precursors for a defined time period resulting in efficient hybrid flexible biomaterial. This technique offers simplicity, tremendous control over delivery of precursors and can be adapted to any pH and ionic strength for efficient immobilization of a range of bio molecules, which are difficult to obtain using standard immobilization techniques.

We will show, how this uniform procedure can be adapted to retain and enhance the properties of small molecules including biocatalysts, carbon nano-tubes, microbial cells, transmembrane proteins in lipid bilayers. We will cover (a) Nano-bio interactions (biocatalyst with silica matrix), in which either a thin-shell (in nm) or bulk immobilization of a bio molecule can be achieved and tuned respectively. The thin-films offer more efficient passage of electrons to and from the biocatalyst. (b) Self assembled lipid bilayers containing transmembrane proteins (planar, liposomes and multi-lamellar) in silica for energy harvesting and ion transport and finally (c) an engineered microbial bio fuel cell with controlled power out put, enhanced temperature stability, and extended operational life.

Overall, this reliable technique can be used to develop next-generation devices for applications that interest us all such as biosensors and biofuel cells.