The biomimetic synthesis of zinc phosphate nanoparticles

A generic approach, based on the basic principles of biomineralization, has been applied to the synthesis of zinc phosphate nanoparticles by chemical precipitation using yeast cells. UV, XRD, FIR, and SEM were employed to characterize the product. The single-stage synthesis is cost-effective, easy to control and is performed at low temperature and normal pressure. The mechanism of the formation of Zn-3(PO4)(2) nanoparticles was studied. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.