CHAPTER 8: Diatom Silica as an Emerging Biomaterial for Energy Conversion and Storage

Diatom nanotechnology involves the promising application of native diatoms, diatomite (diatom frustules), diatom replicas, and their composites in microfluidics, biosensors, molecular separation, photoluminescence, biophotonics, gas detection, physical adsorption, diatom composites, nanostructured battery electrodes, controlled drug delivery and energy storage (e.g. supercapacitors) because of their numerous fine microscopic pores, large specific surface area, and high absorption capacity. Herein, we primarily address the recent applications of diatom-based nanostructures in energy-related fields to spur the development of diatom nanotechnology.