RUI: Nanoparticle Film Assemblies: Interfaces for Controlling the Nanoscale Adsorption Environment and Electrochemical Behavior of Immobilized Redox Proteins

University Of Richmond, Richmond VA

Investigators

Abstract

Professor Michael C. Leopold of the University of Richmond is supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program in the Division of Chemistry to conduct research leading to the development of chemically modified gold nanoparticles assembled onto conducting surfaces, known as monolayer-protected clusters (MPCs), and to use this platform as a functional electrode component for protein monolayer electrochemistry to probe the electron transfer properties of immobilized redox proteins, while preserving their biological function. Experiments will be conducted to study the role of the core size and functionality of the MPCs, and the dependence of electron transfer rates on distance through the MPCs. Understanding of the interactions and charge transfer properties of proteins with these substrates will lead to a better realization of the potential of MPCs in many applications in bioanalytical chemistry leading to the development of miniaturized biosensors. This research will involve undergraduate students in an undergraduate institution in modern research methods and train them in state-of-the-art instrumentation.