Preparation of silica stabilized Tobacco mosaic virus templates for the produ…

Abstract. The use of biological molecules as templates for the production of metal nanoparticles and wires is often limited by the stability of the bio-template and its affinity for nucleating metal deposition. In this study, Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) was used as a model bio-template to investigate the use of silica coatings as a means to both enhance template stability and increase its af…