Logical regulation of the enzyme-like activity of gold nanoparticles by using heavy metal ions

Nanoscale. 2013 Sep 7;5(17):8227-34. doi: 10.1039/c3nr01836a.

Abstract

In this study we employed self-deposition and competitive or synergistic interactions between metal ions and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) to develop OR, AND, INHIBIT, and XOR logic gates through regulation of the enzyme-like activity of Au NPs. In the presence of various metal ions (Ag(+), Bi(3+), Pb(2+), Pt(4+), and Hg(2+)), we found that Au NPs (13 nm) exhibited peroxidase-, oxidase-, or catalase-like activity. After Ag(+), Bi(3+), or Pb(2+) ions had been deposited on the Au NPs, the particles displayed strong peroxidase-like activity; on the other hand, they exhibited strong oxidase- and catalase-like activities after reactions with Ag(+)/Hg(2+) and Hg(2+)/Bi(3+) ions, respectively. The catalytic activities of these Au NPs arose mainly from the various oxidation states of the surface metal atoms/ions. Taking advantage of this behavior, we constructed multiplex logic operations-OR, AND, INHIBIT, and XOR logic gates-through regulation of the enzyme-like activity after the introduction of metal ions into the Au NP solution. When we deposited Hg(2+) and/or Bi(3+) ions onto the Au NPs, the catalase-like activities of the Au NPs were strongly enhanced (>100-fold). Therefore, we could construct an OR logic gate by using Hg(2+)/Bi(3+) as inputs and the catalase-like activity of the Au NPs as the output. Likewise, we constructed an AND logic gate by using Pt(4+) and Hg(2+) as inputs and the oxidase-like activity of the Au NPs as the output; the co-deposition of Pt and Hg atoms/ions on the Au NPs was responsible for this oxidase-like activity. Competition between Pb(2+) and Hg(2+) ions for the Au NPs allowed us to develop an INHIBIT logic gate-using Pb(2+) and Hg(2+) as inputs and the peroxidase-like activity of the Au NPs as the output. Finally, regulation of the peroxidase-like activity of the Au NPs through the two inputs Ag(+) and Bi(3+) enabled us to construct an XOR logic gate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Biocompatible Materials / metabolism*
  • Catalase / chemistry
  • Catalase / metabolism
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Ions / chemistry
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Metals, Heavy / chemistry*
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Oxidoreductases / chemistry
  • Oxidoreductases / metabolism
  • Peroxidase / chemistry
  • Peroxidase / metabolism

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Ions
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Gold
  • Oxidoreductases
  • Catalase
  • Peroxidase