Functional nanoparticle architectures for sensoric, optoelectronic,
and bioelectronic applications*
Itamar Willner and Bilha Willner
Institute of Chemistry, Farkas Center for Light-Induced
Processes, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
Abstract: Tailored sensoric, electronic, photoelectrochemical,
and bioelectrocatalytic functions can be designed by organized molecular
or biomolecular nanoparticle hybrid configurations on surfaces. Layered
receptor-cross-linked Au nanoparticle assemblies on electrodes act as
specific sensors of tunable sensitivities. Layered DNA-cross-linked
CdS nanoparticles on electrode supports reveal organized assemblies
of controlled electronic and photoelectrochemical properties. Au nanoparticle-FAD
semisynthetic cofactor units are reconstituted into apo-glucose oxidase
(GOx) and assembled onto electrodes. The resulting enzymes reveal effective
electrical contacting with the electrodes, and exhibit bioelectrocatalytic
functions toward the oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid. Magneto-switchable
electrocatalysis and bioelectrocatalysis are accomplished by the surface
modification of magnetic particles with redox-relay units. By the attraction
of the modified magnetic particles to the electrode support, or their
retraction from the electrode, by means of an external magnet, the electrochemical
functions of the magnetic particle-tethered relays can be switched between
"ON" and "OFF" states, respectively. The magneto-switchable
redox functionalities of the modified particles activate electrocatalytic
transformations, such as a biocatalytic chemoluminescence cascade that
leads to magneto-switchable light emission or the activation of bioelectrocatalytic
processes.
* Special Topic Issue on the Theme
of Nanostructured Advanced Materials
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