Catechol Mediated Synthesis of Monometallic and Bimetallic Nanoparticles and Catalytic Efficiency of Monometallic Nanoparticles

Abstract

Catechol is demonstrated as a versatile reducing agent/stabilizing agent for the facile and one pot synthesis of monometallic (Au, Se and Pd) and bimetallic nanoparticles in alkaline condition (pH = 11) based on the redox chemistry of catechol. Catechol-derived PdNPs and SeNPs exhibit laccase and peroxidase like activity, respectively. Catechol derived gold nanoparticles serving as an excellent support for enzyme immobilization with recyclable properties are also reported here. As a test model protienase k immobilized on gold nanoparticles exhibits significant biocatalytic activities without compromising the enzyme activity. In summary. this work offers a versatile reducing agent for nanoparticle synthesis and demonstrates new generation of artificial enzymes.

Catechol is explored toward the synthesis of monometallic (Au, Pd, Se) and their corresponding bimetallic nanoparticles and they are found to behave like artificial enzymes