Protein-templated semiconductor nanoparticle chains

Sonal Padalkar
J Hulleman, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University
S M. Kim, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University
J C. Rochet, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University
E A. Stach, Birck Nanotechnology Center and School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University
L Stanciu, Birck Nanotechnology Center and School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University

Abstract

Cadmium sulfide and lead sulfide semiconducting nanoparticle chains have been fabricated for the first time by exploiting a general property of proteins, amyloidogenicity. The diameter of the CdS and PbS nanowires was tuned in the range of similar to 50 to similar to 350 nm by changing the process parameters. The nanoparticle chains were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.