Enhanced rate of electron transfer across gold nanoparticle-anthraquinone hybrids

Electronic Spillover from a Metallic Nanoparticle: Can Simple Electrochemical Electron Transfer Processes Be Catalyzed by Electronic Coupling of a Molecular Scale Gold Nanoparticle Simultaneously to the Redox Molecule and the Electrode?

“…15−17 Rationales as to the origins of the up to 20fold AuC-triggered rate increase have been forwarded. 6,7,10,11,14,18,49 In this report, using theoretical methods, we have explored whether the electronic properties of a single molecular-size AuC offers clues to the catalysis of simple electrochemical ET processes.…”

“…Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) protected by organic molecular monolayers are central in contexts ranging from single-molecule “electronics” and molecular wiring − to biomolecular markers ,, and electronic relays in interfacial electrochemical and bioelectrochemical catalysis. − AuNPs have been a core target, but silver, iron, cobalt, platinum, and other metallic NPs − as well as metal alloys and core–shell NPs have also attracted attention. Variable-size AuNPs have been targets in comprehensive experimental − and theoretical ,− studies of electronic AuNP properties. AuNPs that are 1–2 nm coated nanoparticles display single-ET (SET) charging with a Coulomb blockade in both organic , and aqueous electrolyte solution. − Similar effects were observed for thiol-roughened planar electrochemical Au surfaces .…”

Gold–carbonyl group interactions in the electrochemistry of anthraquinone thiols self-assembled on Au(111)-surfaces

“…Future devices based on hybrids of anthraquinone thiols with gold nanoclusters could therefore potentially be utilized e.g. in investigation of electron transfer (ET) kinetics in electrochemical systems based on redox enzymes 10,11. The quinone-to-hydroquinone conversion process also depends strongly on pH, since each ET step is accompanied by proton transfer (PT) 12–14.…”

Ultra-fast electron capture by electrosterically-stabilized gold nanoparticles

“…Considering the importance of AuNP ET reactions in the above mentioned applications and given the ubiquitous nature of water and its importance in the chemistry of MNPs, [17][18][19][20][21][22] it is worthwhile to investigate the electron donor-acceptor dynamics of MNPs in aqueous solutions. Considering the importance of AuNP ET reactions in the above mentioned applications and given the ubiquitous nature of water and its importance in the chemistry of MNPs, [17][18][19][20][21][22] it is worthwhile to investigate the electron donor-acceptor dynamics of MNPs in aqueous solutions.…”

“…To realize the full potential of MNPs, a complete knowledge of the intricate mechanisms and conditions under which ET is most efficient is needed. Considering the importance of AuNP ET reactions in the above mentioned applications and given the ubiquitous nature of water and its importance in the chemistry of MNPs, [17][18][19][20][21][22] it is worthwhile to investigate the electron donor-acceptor dynamics of MNPs in aqueous solutions. Fundamental questions need to be addressed, such as the possibility of ET from irradiated solvent molecules to MNPs before the electron reaches thermal equilibrium and the possibility of electron tunneling through the solvent molecular networks to MNPs.…”