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Reversible Electrochemical Modulation of a Catalytic Nanosystem
Author(s) -
della Sala Flavio,
Chen Jack L.Y.,
Ranallo Simona,
Badocco Denis,
Pastore Paolo,
Ricci Francesco,
Prins Leonard J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201605309
Subject(s) - monolayer , catalysis , oxidizing agent , chemistry , supramolecular chemistry , electrochemistry , metal ions in aqueous solution , metal , nanoparticle , inorganic chemistry , ion , combinatorial chemistry , colloidal gold , electrode , photochemistry , nanotechnology , materials science , molecule , organic chemistry , biochemistry
A catalytic system based on monolayer‐functionalized gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) that can be electrochemically modulated and reversibly activated is reported. The catalytic activity relies on the presence of metal ions (Cd 2+ and Cu 2+ ), which can be complexed by the nanoparticle‐bound monolayer. This activates the system towards the catalytic cleavage of 2‐hydroxypropyl‐ p ‐nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNPP), which can be monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy. It is shown that Cu 2+ metal ions can be delivered to the system by applying an oxidative potential to an electrode on which Cu 0 was deposited. By exploiting the different affinity of Cd 2+ and Cu 2+ ions for the monolayer, it was also possible to upregulate the catalytic activity after releasing Cu 2+ from an electrode into a solution containing Cd 2+ . Finally, it is shown that the activity of this supramolecular nanosystem can be reversibly switched on or off by oxidizing/reducing Cu/Cu 2+ ions under controlled conditions.