Preparation of Au/polypyrrole composite nanoparticles and study of their electrocatalytical reduction to oxygen with (without) lacasse

Abstract

The colloids of Au/polypyrrole (AuPPy) composite nanoparticles were prepared by oxidizing pyrrole monomer with HAuCl4 in a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) suggests the AuPPy nanoparticles in the form of regular spheres, approximately 200 nm in diameter. The resulting colloid of AuPPy composite nanoparticles strongly adheres to the surface of Au electrodes and exhibits better electrocatalytical reduction of oxygen than bare Au electrodes. It means that the complex procedures of centrifuge and wash are avoided. Also, no linker molecules are needed and the immobilization of nanoparticles is achieved easily in a single-step procedure. The experimental parameters were optimized with regard to the concentration of pyrrole and HAuCl4. The direct electron transfer of laccase is observed after it is immobilized on AuPPy modified electrodes by glutaraldehyde. With the help of mediator 2,2′-azino-bis- (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), laccase electrode gives an electrocatalytical reduction wave of oxygen at least at 0.8 V. This material is an excellent choice for the design of metal nanoparticle modified electrodes or biosensors.