Biomimetic Fabrication of Silica Microcapsules Using Bifunctional Peptides
Abstract Microcapsules have a wide range of applications in various fields due to their unique core‐shell structures and high volume‐to‐surface area ratio. However, existing fabrication methods often rely on toxic chemicals or harsh conditions. A new biomimetic approach for fabricating silica microc...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley-VCH
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Advanced Materials Interfaces |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202500221 |
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| author | Fei Hou Zichao Guo Yue Hui Chun‐Xia Zhao |
| author_facet | Fei Hou Zichao Guo Yue Hui Chun‐Xia Zhao |
| author_sort | Fei Hou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Microcapsules have a wide range of applications in various fields due to their unique core‐shell structures and high volume‐to‐surface area ratio. However, existing fabrication methods often rely on toxic chemicals or harsh conditions. A new biomimetic approach for fabricating silica microcapsules via biosilicification is developed, using a nature‐inspired bifunctional peptide as both a surfactant and catalyst. This method eliminates the need for high temperatures, extreme pH, and toxic chemicals. The study evaluated the performance of different peptide surfactant formulations for emulsion‐template stabilization and silicification, identifying AM1 as the most effective. Using a microfluidic device, AM1 efficiently generated uniform oil‐in‐water micro‐sized emulsion templates due to its excellent surface activity, and the formation of a metal‐peptide crosslinking network around the droplets. AM1 also induced controlled silicification at the water‐oil interface, producing core‐shell silica microcapsules at neutral pH, thus the formation of microcapsules. Additionally, the microcapsules exhibited excellent stability, controlled degradation profiles, and superior dye retention capabilities. This new method represents a significant advancement in the development of safe, effective, and eco‐friendly microcapsules for diverse applications while providing deeper insights into the mechanisms and properties of bifunctional peptides. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e75ec8cad0cc4f7b955c4dd16ce34831 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2196-7350 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Wiley-VCH |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Advanced Materials Interfaces |
| spelling | doaj-art-e75ec8cad0cc4f7b955c4dd16ce348312025-08-20T03:59:36ZengWiley-VCHAdvanced Materials Interfaces2196-73502025-08-011215n/an/a10.1002/admi.202500221Biomimetic Fabrication of Silica Microcapsules Using Bifunctional PeptidesFei Hou0Zichao Guo1Yue Hui2Chun‐Xia Zhao3School of Chemical Engineering Faculty of Science Engineering and Technology The University of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005 AustraliaSchool of Chemical Engineering Faculty of Science Engineering and Technology The University of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005 AustraliaSchool of Chemical Engineering Faculty of Science Engineering and Technology The University of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005 AustraliaSchool of Chemical Engineering Faculty of Science Engineering and Technology The University of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005 AustraliaAbstract Microcapsules have a wide range of applications in various fields due to their unique core‐shell structures and high volume‐to‐surface area ratio. However, existing fabrication methods often rely on toxic chemicals or harsh conditions. A new biomimetic approach for fabricating silica microcapsules via biosilicification is developed, using a nature‐inspired bifunctional peptide as both a surfactant and catalyst. This method eliminates the need for high temperatures, extreme pH, and toxic chemicals. The study evaluated the performance of different peptide surfactant formulations for emulsion‐template stabilization and silicification, identifying AM1 as the most effective. Using a microfluidic device, AM1 efficiently generated uniform oil‐in‐water micro‐sized emulsion templates due to its excellent surface activity, and the formation of a metal‐peptide crosslinking network around the droplets. AM1 also induced controlled silicification at the water‐oil interface, producing core‐shell silica microcapsules at neutral pH, thus the formation of microcapsules. Additionally, the microcapsules exhibited excellent stability, controlled degradation profiles, and superior dye retention capabilities. This new method represents a significant advancement in the development of safe, effective, and eco‐friendly microcapsules for diverse applications while providing deeper insights into the mechanisms and properties of bifunctional peptides.https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202500221biomimeticmicrocapsulemicrofluidicpeptide surfactant |
| spellingShingle | Fei Hou Zichao Guo Yue Hui Chun‐Xia Zhao Biomimetic Fabrication of Silica Microcapsules Using Bifunctional Peptides Advanced Materials Interfaces biomimetic microcapsule microfluidic peptide surfactant |
| title | Biomimetic Fabrication of Silica Microcapsules Using Bifunctional Peptides |
| title_full | Biomimetic Fabrication of Silica Microcapsules Using Bifunctional Peptides |
| title_fullStr | Biomimetic Fabrication of Silica Microcapsules Using Bifunctional Peptides |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biomimetic Fabrication of Silica Microcapsules Using Bifunctional Peptides |
| title_short | Biomimetic Fabrication of Silica Microcapsules Using Bifunctional Peptides |
| title_sort | biomimetic fabrication of silica microcapsules using bifunctional peptides |
| topic | biomimetic microcapsule microfluidic peptide surfactant |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202500221 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT feihou biomimeticfabricationofsilicamicrocapsulesusingbifunctionalpeptides AT zichaoguo biomimeticfabricationofsilicamicrocapsulesusingbifunctionalpeptides AT yuehui biomimeticfabricationofsilicamicrocapsulesusingbifunctionalpeptides AT chunxiazhao biomimeticfabricationofsilicamicrocapsulesusingbifunctionalpeptides |