Electrochemically Stable and Catalytically Active Coatings Based on Self-Assembly of Protein-Inorganic Nanoflowers on Plasma-Electrolyzed Platform

Abstract

Despite the growing research on biomolecule-inorganic nanoflowers for multiple applications, it remains challenging to control their development on stationary platforms for potential portable and wearable devices. In this work, the self-assembly of Cu₃(PO₄)₂-bovine serum albumin hybrid nanoflowers is facilitated by an alumina platform whose surface is tailored by wet plasma electrolysis. This allows an interlocking of hybrid nanoflowers with the surface motifs of the solid platform, resulting in a hierarchy similar to nanocarnation (NC) petals on an inorganic bed. Density functional theory calculations are performed to reveal the primary bonding mode between the organic and inorganic components and to identify the active sites of the protein structure in order to provide mechanistic insights that can explain self-assembly of NCs overall. The hybrid architecture displays an adaptive microstructure in different aqueous environment, giving rise to a dual-function based on its electrochemical stability and catalytic activity toward radical degradation of organic pollutant.

Keywords: catalysis; corrosion; hybrid nanoflowers; plasma electrolysis; proteins.