Solid-State 29Si VACP/MAS NMR Studies of Silicon-Accumulating Plants: Structural Characterization of Biosilica Deposits

Abstract

A series of silicon-accumulating plants [different Equisetum (horse tail) species, Echium vulgare, and Symphytum officinale] were studied by solid-state 29Si NMR experiments. For this purpose, selected parts of these plants were freeze-dried and then investigated by solid-state 29Si VACP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. The 29Si NMR spectra of these plants are quite similar and exhibit the typical pattern characteristic of polysilicic acid (amorphous silica).