Fabrication of Silica-Protein Hierarchical Nanoarchitecture with Gas-Phase Sensing Activity

The assembly of biomolecules onto mechanically and chemically stable inorganic structures is advantageous for practical applications considering the potential for improvements in the stability and catalytic functionality of biomaterials. In this research, we have utilized hierarchically-structured, radially porous silica hollow spheres as a platform for hemoprotein self-assembly. Proteins adsorbed onto silica surfaces through electrostatic interactions remained intact and exhibited rapid gas-phase sensing activity towards hydrogen sulfide gas. The nanoscale molecular interactions between hemoproteins and the analyzed gases were transduced into measurable variations in electric signals using a nanomechanical Membrane-type Surface stress Sensor (MSS).