Design of biomimetic surface for fabrication of monodispersed silver nanoparticles with high catalytic activity

Abstract

A biomimetic surface of protein molecule was synthesized and used as a removable template to fabricate stable and monodispersed silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). Ag NPs with a diameter of 1.8 ± 0.25 nm were obtained, and exhibited excellent catalytic activity in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol with an average activity parameter of 0.892 L·mg−1·s−1. Moreover, the Ag NPs remained stable even after storage at 4 °C for two months, and the activity could be retained up to 88.3%. Therefore, a feasible, straightforward and effective fabrication of stable and monodispersed Ag NPs was achieved herein. It would facilitate the design of functional surface and its application in nano-biomaterials.