Self-catalyzed, self-limiting growth of glucose oxidase-mimicking gold nanoparticles.
Size and shape of nanoparticles are generally controlled by external influence factors such as reaction temperature, time, precursor, and/or surfactant concentration. Lack of external influence may eventually lead to unregulated growth of nanoparticles and possibly loss of their nanoscale properties. Here we report a gold nanoparticle (AuNPs)-based self-catalyzed and self-limiting system that exploits the glucose oxidase-like catalytic activity of AuNPs. We find that the AuNP-catalyzed glucose oxidation in situ produces hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) that induces the AuNPs' seeded growth in the presence of chloroauric acid (HAuCl(4)). This crystal growth of AuNPs is internally regulated via two negative feedback factors, size-dependent activity decrease of AuNPs and product (gluconic acid)-induced surface passivation, leading to a rapidly self-limiting system. Interestingly, the size, shape, and catalytic activities of AuNPs are simultaneously controlled in this system. We expect that it provides a new method for controlled synthesis of novel nanomaterials, design of "smart" self-limiting nanomedicine, as well as in-depth understanding of self-limiting systems in nature.
Laboratory of Physical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China.
Weijie
W
Luo
Changfeng
C
Zhu
Shao
S
Su
Di
D
Li
Yao
Y
He
Qing
Q
Huang
Chunhai
C
Fan
D001234:Aspergillus niger / Q000201:enzymology; D001483:Base Sequence; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005949:Glucose Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D007700:Kinetics; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties
D006046:Gold; D004247:DNA; D005949:Glucose Oxidase