Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic application of networked Au nanostructures fabricated using peptide templates

Bio-inspired-based methods represent new approaches for the fabrication and activation of nanomaterials, all under ambient and energy-neutral conditions. Recent advances have demonstrated the production of non-spherical materials of Pd and Pt; however, the production of similar Au materials remains challenging. Such fabrication routes are highly important as Au-based nanomaterials of selectable morphologies could have immediate applications in catalysis and energy storage. In this contribution, we demonstrate a peptide template-based methodology for the fabrication of Au nanoparticle networks, which are highly branched linear structures that are prepared in water at room temperature. The materials were fully characterized using UV-vis, TEM, XRD, and DLS, from which their catalytic activity was subsequently studied for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. Using this approach, the materials were shown to be highly reactive as compared to comparable structures, which is likely due to their unique biological template. Together, this research represents a step forward in bio-based methodologies for the fabrication of functional and potentially sustainable materials.