Targeting photobioreactors: Immobilisation of cyanobacteria within porous silica gel using biocompatible methods

Joanna Rooke, Alexandre Léonard, Bao-Lian Su (Editor)

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    This work demonstrates the feasibility of sol–gel entrapment in targeting novel photobioreactors.
    Photosynthetic cyanobacterial strains of the genus Synechococcus, PCC 6301, PCC 7002 and PCC
    7418, were immobilised in mesoporous silica matrices via the acidification of aqueous colloidal silica
    precursors at ambient temperature. The conditions of immobilisation were studied. The gels were kept
    hydrated by the addition of media appropriate to the cyanobacteria strain isolated within the matrix
    and maintained under a light source. Scanning electronic microscopy, confocal microscopy and
    fluorometry studies revealed the preservation of photosynthetic pigments post-immobilisation.
    Structural and textural properties of the gels were established through 29Si MASNMR and N2
    physisorption respectively.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1333-1341
    Number of pages9
    JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry
    Volume18
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2008

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