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Biomimetic Chemistry of Hybrid Materials

Knut Rurack

Knut Rurack

Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Berlin, Germany

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Ramón Martínez-Máñez

Ramón Martínez-Máñez

Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain

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First published: 15 December 2011

Abstract

The article discusses representative examples published in the field of functional biomimetic chemistry of hybrid materials between 2004 and mid-2007. First, we focus on the modification of morphological aspects of (bio)organic–inorganic hybrid materials to create sophisticated gating and switching mechanisms. The architecture of the systems is presented and the elements of control by external stimuli that have been established in recent years, such as optical, electrochemical, chemical, thermal, or magnetic means, are described. Various functions ranging from (site-specific) delivery to indication at the nanometric level are reported. Next we develop the idea of utilizing hybrid frameworks for biomimetic signaling inspired by the way nature has created binding pockets and the concept of induced-fit. Such a merging of inorganic scaffolds with supramolecular concepts results in enhanced molecular recognition and signaling. Finally selected recent advances in the field of hybrid biomimetic motors both of linear and rotary types are presented. The contribution shows how novel biomimetic functions can arise from synergisms between specifically designed hybrid materials and the implementation of supramolecular and/or bioorganic concepts.

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