Amyloid-templated polydopamine nanofibers for catecholic immobilization of catalytic noble metal nanoparticles

Dopamine molecules were oxidized and self-polymerized into nanofibers via a template of lysozyme amyloid nanofibrils. The catechol groups adsorbed noble metal ions on the surface of the PDA nanofibers and in situ reduced them into metallic nanoparticles with excellent catalytic activities. This study will not only pave a green way for fabricating 1D nanostructures via biological templates, but also provide a unique opportunity for in situ preparation and immobilization of noble metal nanocatalysts. Polydopamine nanofibers were fabricated templated on lysozyme amyloid nanofibrils. With catechol groups on the PDA nanofibers, noble metal ions were in situ adsorbed and reduced into metallic nanoparticles with excellent catalytic activities.