Enzyme‐Mediated Deposition of a TiO2 Coating onto Biofunctionalized WS2 Chalcogenide Nanotubes

A chemically specific and facile method for the biofunctionalization of WS2 nanotubes (NT‐WS2) is reported. The covalent modification strategy is based on the affinity of the nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) side chain, which serves as a ligand for the surface binding to NT‐WS2 and simultaneously as an anchor group for the binding of His‐tagged proteins to the polymer backbone. The polymer functionalized WS2 nanotubes can be solubilized either in water or organic solvents; they are stable for at least one week. The probes were characterized by FT‐IR and UV‐vis spectroscopy. The immobilization of silicatein, a hydrolytic protein encountered in marine sponges, was visualized by scanning force microscopy (SFM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The formation of the biotitania coating mediated by the immobilized silicatein onto the surface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). WS2 nanotubes are functionalized with polymeric ligands by complexation with a combination of Ni2+ via a scorpionate‐type nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) ligand. The NTA group also allows the specific binding of proteins to the sidewalls of the tubes. The surface‐bound protein retains its catalytic activity. This biofunctionalization of NT‐WS2 opens new opportunities for integrating chalcogenide nanoparticles in (bio)composites.