Bio‐Inspired Formation of Silica Thin Films: From Solid Substrates to Cellular Interfaces

Abstract

AbstractSilica formation in biological systems (biosilicification) has been intensively studied for synthesizing inorganic materials such as silica and titania under biocompatible conditions. Inspired by biosilicification, biocompatible strategies have been developed to fabricate silica thin films on the surfaces of solid substrates such as flat wafers and micro/nanoparticles. In the search for biological applications, these strategies have been applied to cellular surfaces to coat living cells with silica or titania thin films while maintaining cell viability, and it was found that the inorganic coat is beneficial for the protection of living cells and to control cell division. This Microreview focuses on bio‐inspired approaches to the formation of silica thin films on solid substrates and cellular surfaces, and includes the bio‐inspired formation of other inorganic thin films that have been formed by bio‐inspired silicification. The current status and future prospects of this field are also discussed.