Synthesis of HgS nanocrystals in the Lysozyme aqueous solution through biomimetic method

In the present work, it is reported for Lysozyme-conjugated HgS nanocrystals with tunable sizes prepared at Lysozyme (Lyso) aqueous solutions by using biomimetic method. The obtained HgS nanoparticles with good dispersibility have been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission microscopy (HRTEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS). The Lysozyme molecules can control nucleation and growth of HgS crystals by binding on the surface of nanocrystals to stabilize protein-capped nanoparticles. Quantum confinement effect of Lyso-conjugated HgS nanocrystals has been confirmed by UV-vis spectra. The nanoparticles exhibit a well-defined emission feature at about 470 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) data are used to envisage the binding of nanoparticles with functional groups of Lysozyme. The results of circular dichroism (CD) spectra indicated that the formation of HgS nanocrystals can lead to conformational change of Lysozyme. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.