Photochemical mineralization of europium, titanium, and iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles in the ferritin protein cage

Inorg Chem. 2008 Apr 7;47(7):2237-9. doi: 10.1021/ic701740q. Epub 2008 Feb 29.

Abstract

The Fe storage protein ferritin was used as a size-constrained reaction vessel for the photoreduction and reoxidation of complexed Eu, Fe, and Ti precursors for the formation of oxyhydroxide nanoparticles. The resultant materials were characterized by dynamic light scattering, gel electrophoresis, UV-vis spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The photoreduction and reoxidation process is inspired by biological sequestration mechanisms observed in some marine siderophore systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, Gel
  • Europium / chemistry*
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry*
  • Iron-Binding Proteins / chemistry*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Minerals / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Photochemistry
  • Titanium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Ferric Compounds
  • Iron-Binding Proteins
  • Minerals
  • ferric hydroxide
  • Europium
  • Titanium