Biotemplated synthesis of metallic nanoparticle chains on an alpha-synuclein fiber scaffold.
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).
Colby
R
R
School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA.
Hulleman
J
J
Padalkar
S
S
Rochet
J C
JC
Stanciu
L A
LA
D000682:Amyloid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010165:Palladium / Q000737:chemistry; D051844:alpha-Synuclein / Q000737:chemistry*
D000682:Amyloid; D051844:alpha-Synuclein; D010165:Palladium; D006046:Gold; D003300:Copper