Biomineralization of platinum by microorganisms

Abstract

The mechanism of platinum biomineralization by microscopic fungi is displayed based on data of electron microscopy, infrared and X-ray photoelectronic spectroscopy. It was suggested the platinum sorption process by microscopic fungi has some stages. The initial interaction is carried out by the mechanisms of physical and chemical sorption. Hereafter the reduction process of adsorbed platinum ions up to zero state is performed, probably, for account of organic compounds, which are produced by fungi biomass as metabolism result, and the process terminates by nulvalent particles aggregating up to nanosize forms. Obtained data on the platinum biomineralization extends the concept concerning the character of forming platinum nanoparticles in carbonous paleobasin.