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Download filePhotocatalytic Synthesis of Copper Colloids from Cu(II) by the Ferrihydrite Core of Ferritin
journal contribution
posted on 2004-05-31, 00:00 authored by Daniel Ensign, Mark Young, Trevor DouglasThe iron-storage protein ferritin encapsulates a nanoparticle of iron oxide. The size and properties of these
nanoparticles can be adjusted by controlled oxidative hydrolysis reactions of Fe(II). This mineralized ferritin protein
cage has previously been shown to act as an effective photocatalyst for reduction of Cr(VI). In the present work,
we demonstrate that Fe(O)OH-mineralized ferritin catalyzes the photoreduction of Cu(II) to form a stable, air-sensitive, colloidal dispersion of Cu(0). In addition, the particle sizes of the Cu colloids can be controlled by varying
the ratio of Cu(II) to ferritin. This illustrates an important principle, namely that the properties of one preformed
material can be utilized for the specific synthesis of a second material, thus tailoring the desired physical properties
of the final products. This procedure represents a multistep materials synthesis: the formation of a new nanomaterial
from a catalytic precursor.