From Single Molecules to Nanoscopically Structured Functional Materials: Au Nanocrystal Growth on TiO₂ Nanowires Controlled by Surface‐Bound Silicatein

Abstract

Biofunctionalized ceramic nanowires: A reactive ester polymer has been used to immobilize silicatein, a hydrolytic enzyme involved in the biomineralization of SiO2, on the surface of TiO2 nanowires. The surface-bound protein retains its original hydrolytic properties and also acts as a reductant for AuCl4− in the synthesis of hybrid TiO2/silicatein/Au nanocomposites.