Nanotechnology Now

• About Us
  
  • Advertising
  • Our Mission
  • Our Team
  • Comments
  • Friends
  • Contact
• Nanotechnology
• News
  
  • Current News
  • Press Releases
  • Submit Press
  • Press kit
  • Interviews
• Columns
• Products
  
  • Our Products
  • Books
  • Featured Books
• Directories
  
  • Companies/Academic
  • Events
  • Glossary
  • Best Of
• Career Center
• Nano-Social Network
• Nano Consulting
• My Account

Home > News > Metal-fungus hybrids make for more powerful catalysts

September 24th, 2008

Metal-fungus hybrids make for more powerful catalysts

Abstract:
It brings a new meaning to the phrase organic chemistry. Chemists have discovered that fungi can naturally absorb microscopic metal particles into their flesh in a way that could see metallic fungus used as catalysts or disinfectants.

Industrial catalysts often rely on processes that happen on the surface of metals, so tiny nanoparticles of catalyst with large surface-area-to-volume ratios are particularly effective. But such particles are only effective if they are prevented from clumping together using a chemical solution, which makes it difficult to separate the catalyst from the products of a reaction.

Now Alexander Eychmüller's team at the Dresden University of Technology in Germany has discovered that fungi can assimilate and stabilise nanoparticles as they grow. Because the nanoparticles are immobilised on fungal filaments, they can be easily recovered later.

Source:
technology.newscientist.com

Bookmark:

Related News Press

News and information

Beautiful "flowers" self-assemble in a beaker: Elaborate nanostructures blossom from a chemical reaction perfected at Harvard May 17th, 2013

Artificial Forest for Solar Water-Splitting: Berkeley Lab Researchers Report First Fully Integrated Artificial Photosynthesis Nanosystem May 17th, 2013

Moth-Inspired Nanostructures Take the Color Out of Thin Films May 17th, 2013

NIA Public Briefing: Nanotechnology and the Council of Europe May 17th, 2013

Chemistry

Iranian Scientists Use Pomegranate Juice to Produce Copper Iodide Nanostructure May 14th, 2013

Chemistry breakthrough sheds new light on illness and health May 12th, 2013

Researchers develop unique method for creating uniform nanoparticles May 6th, 2013

Four groups at the UJI set up a multidisciplinary cooperative research consortium to advance in medicine, energy and catalysis May 1st, 2013

Discoveries

Beautiful "flowers" self-assemble in a beaker: Elaborate nanostructures blossom from a chemical reaction perfected at Harvard May 17th, 2013

Artificial Forest for Solar Water-Splitting: Berkeley Lab Researchers Report First Fully Integrated Artificial Photosynthesis Nanosystem May 17th, 2013

Moth-Inspired Nanostructures Take the Color Out of Thin Films May 17th, 2013

Scientists capture first direct proof of Hofstadter butterfly effect May 17th, 2013

Announcements

Artificial Forest for Solar Water-Splitting: Berkeley Lab Researchers Report First Fully Integrated Artificial Photosynthesis Nanosystem May 17th, 2013

Moth-Inspired Nanostructures Take the Color Out of Thin Films May 17th, 2013

NIA Public Briefing: Nanotechnology and the Council of Europe May 17th, 2013

Scientists capture first direct proof of Hofstadter butterfly effect May 17th, 2013