Diameter-selective dispersion of carbon nanotubes by β-lactoglobulin whey protein

Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2013 Dec 1:112:16-22. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2013.07.018. Epub 2013 Jul 16.

Abstract

The β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) protein was discovered to be an efficient and selective dispersant for carbon nanotubes (CTNs) with certain diameters. A dispersion process of CTNs by the β-LG was studied, focusing on the relationships between the surface curvature of the CNT and the β-LG's efficiency in dispersing them, using cryogenic-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and optical spectroscopy. Plausible binding sites of the β-LG, responsible for the interaction of the protein with CNTs of various diameters (surface curvatures) were also investigated and were found to be in good agreement with corresponding docking calculations.

Keywords: Carbon nanotubes; Cryo-TEM; Dispersion; Docking; Surface curvature.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Cattle
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Cryoelectron Microscopy
  • Lactoglobulins / chemistry*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Milk Proteins / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / ultrastructure*
  • Particle Size
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Spectrophotometry
  • Whey Proteins

Substances

  • Lactoglobulins
  • Milk Proteins
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Whey Proteins