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Biological and Bio-inspired Materials

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A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2020) | Viewed by 55391

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Helga Lichtenegger

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Guest Editor

Universitat fur Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
Interests: biomineralization; nanocomposites; materials science and technology; biological and bio-inspired materials; mechanical characterization

Dr. Harald Rennhofer

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Guest Editor

Universitat fur Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna, Austria
Interests: X-ray scattering; fibre composites (carbon, cellulose, biological, bio-based); structure and mechanics of hierarchical materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biological materials have increasingly moved into the center of attention by scientists of various disciplines in recent years, due to their outstanding physical properties and high specialization. They typically exhibit exquisite mechanical optmization and often fulfill more than one task, e.g. optical functionality, actuation, adhesion, etc. In many cases they are hierarchically structured, which makes them different from many state of the art industrial materials and poses great challenges for characterization and testing strategies. Biological materials can also teach us many useful lessons, such as the interplay of crystalline and amorphouse phases, an exquisitely tailored nanostructure, or smart failure mechanisms. Implementation of these principles leads to a completely new class of materials based on biologically derived components, structures and functionality.

The present Special Issue “Biological and Bio-Inspired Materials” aims to collect and publish recent advances in the area of biological materials and tissues and materials that follow biological principles. We welcome all reviews and research articles concerned with biological materials in a structure-properties way. This includes also bio-inspired materials and properties transfer to materials as well as advanced characterization methods for biological or bio-inspired matter. Topics with special emphasis are summarized in the keywords below.

Prof. Dr. Helga Lichtenegger
Ass. Prof. Dr. Harald Rennhofer
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Biological and bio-inspired nano-composites
Biomineralization
Mechanics of biological materials
Structure-properties relationship
Bio-inspired self assembled materials
Material biomimetics
Advanced characterization methods for biological/bio-inspired materials
Hierarchically structured materials
Biological concepts in materials fabrication and functionality

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1415 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Red Blood Cell Stiffness and Adhesion Are Species-Specific Properties Strongly Affected by Temperature and Medium Changes in Single Cell Force Spectroscopy

by Dina Baier, Torsten Müller, Thomas Mohr and Ursula Windberger

Molecules 2021, 26(9), 2771; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26092771 - 8 May 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4515

Abstract

Besides human red blood cells (RBC), a standard model used in AFM-single cell force spectroscopy (SCFS), little is known about apparent Young’s modulus (Ea) or adhesion of animal RBCs displaying distinct cellular features. To close this knowledge gap, we probed chicken, horse, camel, and human fetal RBCs and compared data with human adults serving as a repository for future studies. Additionally, we assessed how measurements are affected under physiological conditions (species-specific temperature in autologous plasma vs. 25 °C in aqueous NaCl solution). In all RBC types, Ea decreased with increasing temperature irrespective of the suspension medium. In mammalian RBCs, adhesion increased with elevated temperatures and scaled with reported membrane sialic acid concentrations. In chicken only adhesion decreased with higher temperature, which we attribute to the lower AE-1 concentration allowing more membrane undulations. Ea decreased further in plasma at every test temperature, and adhesion was completely abolished, pointing to functional cell enlargement by adsorption of plasma components. This halo elevated RBC size by several hundreds of nanometers, blunted the thermal input, and will affect the coupling of RBCs with the flowing plasma. The study evidences the presence of a RBC surface layer and discusses the tremendous effects when RBCs are probed at physiological conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological and Bio-inspired Materials)

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18 pages, 8064 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bioinspired Green Synthesis of Chitosan and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles with Strong Antibacterial Activity against Rice Pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae

by Yasmine Abdallah, Mengju Liu, Solabomi Olaitan Ogunyemi, Temoor Ahmed, Hatem Fouad, Amro Abdelazez, Chenqi Yan, Yong Yang, Jianping Chen and Bin Li

Molecules 2020, 25(20), 4795; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25204795 - 19 Oct 2020

Cited by 63 | Viewed by 6662

Abstract

Bacterial leaf blight caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is one of the most devastating diseases, resulting in significant yield losses in rice. The extensive use of chemical antibacterial agents has led to an increase the environmental toxicity. Nanotechnology products are being developed as a promising alternative to control plant disease with low environmental impact. In the present study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of biosynthesized chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) against rice pathogen Xoo. The formation of CSNPs and ZnONPs in the reaction mixture was confirmed by using UV-vis spectroscopy at 300–550 nm. Moreover, CSNPs and ZnONPs with strong antibacterial activity against Xoo were further characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Compared with the corresponding chitosan and ZnO alone, CSNPs and ZnONPs showed greater inhibition in the growth of Xoo, which may be mainly attributed to the reduction in biofilm formation and swimming, cell membrane damage, reactive oxygen species production, and apoptosis of bacterial cells. Overall, this study revealed that the two biosynthesized nanoparticles, particularly CSNPs, are a promising alternative to control rice bacterial disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological and Bio-inspired Materials)

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12 pages, 8919 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mapping the Mechanical Properties of Hierarchical Supercrystalline Ceramic-Organic Nanocomposites

by Büsra Bor, Lydia Heilmann, Berta Domènech, Michael Kampferbeck, Tobias Vossmeyer, Horst Weller, Gerold A. Schneider and Diletta Giuntini

Molecules 2020, 25(20), 4790; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25204790 - 19 Oct 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2576

Abstract

Multiscale ceramic-organic supercrystalline nanocomposites with two levels of hierarchy have been developed via self-assembly with tailored content of the organic phase. These nanocomposites consist of organically functionalized ceramic nanoparticles forming supercrystalline micron-sized grains, which are in turn embedded in an organic-rich matrix. By applying an additional heat treatment step at mild temperatures (250–350 °C), the mechanical properties of the hierarchical nanocomposites are here enhanced. The heat treatment leads to partial removal and crosslinking of the organic phase, minimizing the volume occupied by the nanocomposites’ soft phase and triggering the formation of covalent bonds through the organic ligands interfacing the ceramic nanoparticles. Elastic modulus and hardness up to 45 and 2.5 GPa are attained, while the hierarchical microstructure is preserved. The presence of an organic phase between the supercrystalline grains provides a toughening effect, by curbing indentation-induced cracks. A mapping of the nanocomposites’ mechanical properties reveals the presence of multiple microstructural features and how they evolve with heat treatment temperature. A comparison with non-hierarchical, homogeneous supercrystalline nanocomposites with lower organic content confirms how the hierarchy-inducing organic excess results in toughening, while maintaining the beneficial effects of crosslinking on the materials’ stiffness and hardness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological and Bio-inspired Materials)

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19 pages, 4652 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Blood Clot Phenotyping by Rheometry: Platelets and Fibrinogen Chemistry Affect Stress-Softening and -Stiffening at Large Oscillation Amplitude

by Ursula Windberger and Jörg Läuger

Molecules 2020, 25(17), 3890; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25173890 - 26 Aug 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3079

Abstract

(1) Background: Together with treatment protocols, viscoelastic tests are widely used for patient care. Measuring at broader ranges of deformation than currently done will add information on a clot’s mechanical phenotype because fibrin networks follow different stretching regimes, and blood flow compels clots into a dynamic non-linear response. (2) Methods: To characterize the influence of platelets on the network level, a stress amplitude sweep test (LAOStress) was applied to clots from native plasma with five platelet concentrations. Five species were used to validate the protocol (human, cow, pig, rat, horse). By Lissajous plots the oscillation cycle for each stress level was analyzed. (3) Results: Cyclic stress loading generates a characteristic strain response that scales with the platelet quantity at low stress, and that is independent from the platelet count at high shear stress. This general behavior is valid in the animal models except cow. Here, the specific fibrinogen chemistry induces a stiffer network and a variant high stress response. (4) Conclusions: The protocol provides several thresholds to connect the softening and stiffening behavior of clots with the applied shear stress. This points to the reversible part of deformation, and thus opens a new route to describe a blood clot’s phenotype. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological and Bio-inspired Materials)

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15 pages, 11243 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Porosity at Different Structural Levels in Human and Yak Belly Hair and Its Effect on Hair Dyeing

by Alexander R. M. Müllner, Ruben Pahl, Doris Brandhuber and Herwig Peterlik

Molecules 2020, 25(9), 2143; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25092143 - 3 May 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 8290

Abstract

Yak belly hair was proposed as a cheap substitute for human hair for the development of hair dyes, as its chemical composition closely resembles human hair in Raman spectroscopy. The absence of melanin in yak belly hair also leads to a strong reduction of fluorescence in Raman measurements, which is advantageous for the investigation of the effectivity of hair dyes. To assess the suitability for replacing human hair, we analyzed similarities and differences of both hair types with a variety of methods: Raman spectroscopy, to obtain molecular information; small-angle X-ray scattering to determine the nanostructure, such as intermediate filament distance, distance of lipid layers and nanoporosity; optical and scanning electron microscopy of surfaces and cross sections to determine the porosity at the microstructural level; and density measurements and tensile tests to determine the macroscopic structure, macroporosity and mechanical properties. Both types of hair are similar on a molecular scale, but differ on other length scales: yak belly hair has a smaller intermediate filament distance on the nanoscale. Most striking is a higher porosity of yak belly hair on all hierarchical levels, and a lower Young’s modulus on the macroscale. In addition to the higher porosity, yak belly hair has fewer overlapping scales of keratin, which further eases the uptake of coloring. This makes, on the other hand, a comparison of coloring processes difficult, and limits the usefulness of yak belly hair as a substitute for human hair. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological and Bio-inspired Materials)

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9 pages, 1069 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Straw in Clay Bricks and Plasters—Can We Use Its Molecular Decay for Dating Purposes?

by Johannes Tintner, Kimberly Roth, Franz Ottner, Zuzana Syrová-Anýžová, Ivana Žabičková, Karin Wriessnig, Roland Meingast and Hubert Feiglstorfer

Molecules 2020, 25(6), 1419; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25061419 - 20 Mar 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2952

Abstract

Dating of clay bricks (adobe) and plasters is a relevant topic not only for building historians in the Pannonian region. Especially in vernacular architecture in this region, clay with straw amendments is a dominant construction material. The paper presents the potential of the molecular decay of these amendments to establish prediction tools for age based on infrared spectroscopic measurements. Preliminary results revealed spectral differences between the different plant parts, especially culms, nodes, and ear spindles. Based on these results, a first prediction model is presented including 14 historic samples. The coefficient of determination for the validation reached 62.2%, the (RMSE) root mean squared error amounted to 93 years. Taking the limited sample amount and the high material heterogeneity into account, this result can be seen as a promising output. Accordingly, sample size should be increased to a minimum of 100 objects and separate models for the different plant parts should be established. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological and Bio-inspired Materials)

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16 pages, 4708 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Even Visually Intact Cell Walls in Waterlogged Archaeological Wood Are Chemically Deteriorated and Mechanically Fragile: A Case of a 170 Year-Old Shipwreck

by Liuyang Han, Xingling Tian, Tobias Keplinger, Haibin Zhou, Ren Li, Kirsi Svedström, Ingo Burgert, Yafang Yin and Juan Guo

Molecules 2020, 25(5), 1113; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25051113 - 3 Mar 2020

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 4588

Abstract

Structural and chemical deterioration and its impact on cell wall mechanics were investigated for visually intact cell walls (VICWs) in waterlogged archaeological wood (WAW). Cell wall mechanical properties were examined by nanoindentation without prior embedding. WAW showed more than 25% decrease of both hardness and elastic modulus. Changes of cell wall composition, cellulose crystallite structure and porosity were investigated by ATR-FTIR imaging, Raman imaging, wet chemistry, ¹³C-solid state NMR, pyrolysis-GC/MS, wide angle X-ray scattering, and N₂ nitrogen adsorption. VICWs in WAW possessed a cleavage of carboxyl in side chains of xylan, a serious loss of polysaccharides, and a partial breakage of β-O-4 interlinks in lignin. This was accompanied by a higher amount of mesopores in cell walls. Even VICWs in WAW were severely deteriorated at the nanoscale with impact on mechanics, which has strong implications for the conservation of archaeological shipwrecks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological and Bio-inspired Materials)

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19 pages, 24009 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hierarchical Structure of the Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Endocarp: Functional Morphology and its Influence on Fracture Toughness

by Stefanie Schmier, Naoe Hosoda and Thomas Speck

Molecules 2020, 25(1), 223; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25010223 - 6 Jan 2020

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 9121

Abstract

In recent years, the biomimetic potential of lignified or partially lignified fruit pericarps has moved into focus. For the transfer of functional principles into biomimetic applications, a profound understanding of the structural composition of the role models is important. The aim of this study was to qualitatively analyze and visualize the functional morphology of the coconut endocarp on several hierarchical levels, and to use these findings for a more precise evaluation of the toughening mechanisms in the endocarp. Eight hierarchical levels of the ripe coconut fruit were identified using different imaging techniques, including light and scanning electron microscopy as well as micro-computer-tomography. These range from the organ level of the fruit (H0) to the molecular composition (H7) of the endocarp components. A special focus was laid on the hierarchical levels of the endocarp (H3–H6). This investigation confirmed that all hierarchical levels influence the crack development in different ways and thus contribute to the pronounced fracture toughness of the coconut endocarp. By providing relevant morphological parameters at each hierarchical level with the associated toughening mechanisms, this lays the basis for transferring those properties into biomimetic technical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological and Bio-inspired Materials)

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32 pages, 3470 KiB

Open AccessReview

Tannin-Based Hybrid Materials and Their Applications: A Review

by Ann-Kathrin Koopmann, Christian Schuster, Jorge Torres-Rodríguez, Stefan Kain, Heidi Pertl-Obermeyer, Alexander Petutschnigg and Nicola Hüsing

Molecules 2020, 25(21), 4910; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25214910 - 23 Oct 2020

Cited by 65 | Viewed by 12707

Abstract

Tannins are eco-friendly, bio-sourced, natural, and highly reactive polyphenols. In the past decades, the understanding of their versatile properties has grown substantially alongside a continuously broadening of the tannins’ application scope. In particular, recently, tannins have been increasingly investigated for their interaction with other species in order to obtain tannin-based hybrid systems that feature advanced and/or novel properties. Furthermore, in virtue of the tannins’ chemistry and their high reactivity, they either physicochemically or physically interact with a wide variety of different compounds, including metals and ceramics, as well as a number of organic species. Such hybrid or hybrid-like systems allow the preparation of various advanced nanomaterials, featuring improved performances compared to the current ones. Consequently, these diverse-shaped materials have potential use in wastewater treatment or catalysis, as well as in some novel fields such as UV-shielding, functional food packaging, and biomedicine. Since these kinds of tannin-based hybrids represent an emerging field, thus far no comprehensive overview concerning their potential as functional chemical building blocks is available. Hence, this review aims to provide a structured summary of the current state of research regarding tannin-based hybrids, detailed findings on the chemical mechanisms as well as their fields of application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological and Bio-inspired Materials)

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