Biotemplated synthesis of metallic nanoparticle chains on an alpha-synuclein fiber scaffold

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2008 Feb;8(2):973-8.

Abstract

Biomolecular templates provide an excellent potential tool for bottom-up device fabrication. Self-assembling alpha-synuclein protein fibrils, the formation of which has been linked to Parkinson's disease, have yet to be explored for potential device fabrication. In this paper, alpha-synuclein fibrils were used as a template for palladium (Pd), gold (Au) and copper (Cu) nanoparticle chains synthesis. Deposition over a range of conditions resulted in metal-coated fibers with reproducible average diameters between 50 and 200 nm. Active elemental palladium deposited on the protein fibrils is used as a catalyst for the electroless deposition of Au and Cu. Nanoparticle chains were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry (XEDS), and electron energy loss spectrometry (EELS).

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid / chemistry
  • Amyloid / ultrastructure
  • Copper / chemistry
  • Gold / chemistry
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Palladium / chemistry
  • alpha-Synuclein / chemistry*

Substances

  • Amyloid
  • alpha-Synuclein
  • Palladium
  • Gold
  • Copper