Biomolecular Adsorption to Interfacial Single Particle Layer of Organo-Modified Nanodiamond and Its Second-Order Structure

Modifying the surface of nanodiamonds, which have antibacterial properties, with organic molecular chains enables biomolecular adsorption on a single particle layer on the water surface. For organo-modification, long-chain fatty acids act on the terminal hydroxyl groups present on the nanodiamond surface, and cytochrome C protein and trypsin enzyme are used as biomolecules. Cytochrome C and trypsin introduced into the subphase were electrostatically adsorbed onto the unmodified hydrophilic surface of the organo-modified nanodiamond monolayers on the water surface. The ampholyte protein is thought to exhibit Coulomb interactions with the positively charged unmodified nanodiamond surface. The protein adsorption was supported by morphological observations and spectroscopic properties; circular dichroism spectra suggested denaturation of the adsorbed proteins. However, the biopolymers could maintain their second-order structure even under a high-temperature environment, after being slightly denatured and adsorbed to the template. The nanodiamonds form excellent templates for structural retention in the atmosphere while yielding minor denaturation corresponding to the chirality of biomolecules upon adsorption.