Figure 2: Characterization of biomimetically mineralized biocomposite.
From: Biomimetic mineralization of metal-organic frameworks as protective coatings for biomacromolecules
(a) SEM image showing the crystals obtained using BSA as a growth agent for biomimetic mineralization (scale bar, 1 μm). (b) Photograph and (c) confocal laser scanning microscopy image of the biomomimetically mineralized ZIF-8 composite obtained using BSA labelled with FITC. This biocomposite (ZIF-8/FITC-BSA) was prepared at 37 °C, washed and exposed to ultraviolet light of wavelength 365 and 495 nm, respectively (scale bar, 10 μm). (d) PXRD of the MOF-BSA biocomposite. (e) FTIR spectra of BSA (red), ZIF-8/BSA (orange), standard ZIF-8 post incubated with BSA after washing (blue), and standard ZIF-8 (black). (f) SAXS data of the ZIF-8/BSA biocomposite and a schematic showing the relative size of BSA to the mesopore. The observed Guinier knee can be fitted using the Unified model58 with a radius of gyration (Rg)59 of 35 (± 5) Å, which is 17% larger than that of BSA 29.9 Å (ref. 60). (g) Schematic proposing the biomimetically mineralized growth of ZIF-8. Each BSA molecule attracts 31 2-methylimidazole (HmIm) ligands and 22 Zn2+ ions, facilitating the nucleation of ZIF-8 crystals13.
