Photoconductivity of Pea‐Pod‐Type Chains of Gold Nanoparticles Encapsulated within Dielectric Amyloid Protein Nanofibrils of α‐Synuclein

Abstract

Nano bling: Pea-pod-type chains of gold nanoparticles were fabricated within a dielectric amyloid protein nanofibrillar matrix by the assembly of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) coated with α-synuclein (see scheme). Instantaneous AuNP alignment into anisotropic chain structures was directed by either treatment with hexane or a pH change. The resulting AuNP-embedded dielectric protein matrix exhibits photoconductivity with visible light.