Tailoring the Surface of Aluminum‐Enriched Diatom Biosilica

Aluminosilicates are widely used as sorbent materials, ion exchangers, and catalysts. While they often synthesized by hydrothermal methods, microorganisms may open “green” synthesis ways. Diatoms can incorporate aluminum into their micro- nanostructured silica-based cell walls. Thus, diatoms create intricately structured aluminosilicate materials. The present study investigates not only possible morphological changes during the in vivo Al-enrichment of diatom species Thalassiosira pseudonana, but also increase specific surface area Al-enriched biosilica vitro etching with alkaline solutions.