Beyond biotemplating: multiscale porous inorganic materials with high catalytic efficiency

Chem Commun (Camb). 2020 Mar 19;56(23):3389-3392. doi: 10.1039/d0cc00651c.

Abstract

Biotemplating makes it possible to prepare materials with complex structures by taking advantage of nature's ability to generate unique morphologies. In this work, we designed and produced a multi-scale porosity (MSP) scaffold starting from sea urchin spines by adding an additional nano-porosity to its native micro-porosity. The final replica shows porosity in both length scales and is an effective high-performing photocatalytic material.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Catalysis / radiation effects
  • Light
  • Porosity
  • Proof of Concept Study
  • Rhodamines / chemistry
  • Sea Urchins / chemistry
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry*
  • Silicon Dioxide / radiation effects
  • Titanium / chemistry*
  • Titanium / radiation effects

Substances

  • Rhodamines
  • titanium dioxide
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Titanium
  • rhodamine B