Structure and physico-chemical properties of organosilicon crystal-like composite spicules of the glass sponge Hyalonema sieboldi

Highlights: • The microstructural organization of Hexactinellids sponge spicules of is a system of thin layers. • Spicules demonstrate their capacity for thermo- and triboluminescence. • Also they have electrical resistance and are able to produce piezoelectric effect. - Abstract: Morphology, chemical composition and electrical properties of long monoaxonic spicules of the deep-sea hexactinellid sponge Hyalonema sieboldi were studied. In this paper we show for the first time that the spicules have an electrical resistance and can produce the piezoelectric effect. The piezoelectric properties of the organosilicon spicules seem to result from their complex multilayered organization. Mechanical tension can be detected between these layers in different parts of the spicules that disappears following the destruction of a spicule. Our findings on the presence of the piezoelectric effect in composite organosilicon material of the hexactinellid spicules may contribute to the creation of biomimetic materials capable of generating light emission.