Modifying the thickness, pore size, and composition of diatom frustule in Pinnularia sp. with Al³⁺ ions.

ABSTRACT: Diatoms are unicellular photosynthetic algae that produce a silica exoskeleton (frustule) which exposes a highly ordered nano to micro scale morphology. In recent years there has been a growing interest in modifying diatom frustules for technological applications. This is achieved by adding non-essential metals to the growth medium of diatoms which in turn modifies morphology, composition, and resulting properties of the frustule. Here, we investigate the frustule formation in diatom Pinnularia sp., including changes to overall morphology, silica thickness, and composition, in the presence of Al³⁺ ions at different concentrations. Our results show that in the presence of Al³⁺ the total silica uptake from the growth medium increases, although a decrease in the growth r

SUBMITTER: Soleimani M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7658998 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature