Biomineralization of REE phosphate nano-minerals by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract

In order to understand the process of nano-scale mineralization of REE phosphate on the surface of microorganisms, we investigate association of Eu and Ce with yeast S. cerevisiae grown in P-rich medium after exposure for 2 h, 18 h, 42 h, and 66 h to Eu(III) and Ce(III) solution at pH of 3, 4, or 5. A variety of analytical techniques including SEM, TEM,XAFS have been employed to investigate the sequestration mechanism of Eu and Ce by yeast as a function of exposure time.