Preparation of Two-dimensional Array of Nanodots by Ferritin Template

Zinc selenide (ZnSe) nanocrystals were synthesized in the cavity of the apoferritin from horse spleen (HsAFr), and two-dimensional ZnSe-ferritin nanodots were prepared by simple touch method on modified silicon surface. In the synthesis, ZnSe nanocrystals are encapsulated and growth is restricted to the internal dimension of the protein cavity. The obtained nanodots were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and absorption measurements. In addition, the photoluminescence (PL) properties of two-dimensional nanodots were obtained. From the results, it was concluded that ZnSe nanocrystals were successfully synthesized in the core of ferritin and the monolayer of ZnSe-ferritin could be obtained on the surface of silicon wafer. In addition, the arrays on the silicon surface provided the PL emission peak for ZnSe quantum dots(QDs) in ferritin core. Accordingly, the ZnSe-ferritin arrays can be employed as a useful sensor material for PL technique such as fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET).