Preparation of Fe3O4@Au nano-composites by self-assembly technique for immobilization of glucose oxidase

Superparamagnetism amination nanocrystals Fe₃O₄ with 3-aminopropyltriethyloxy silane (APTES) were prepared by modified co-precipitation method. Next, 4-5 nm gold nanoparticles, prepared by classical Frens procedure, were coated on the surface of the amination Fe₃O₄ by self-assembly technology. The prepared Fe₃O₄@Au nanocomposite particles were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis, infrared spectrum (FT-IR), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) in order to elucidate the morphology, optics and magnetic properties of the nanocomposites. Their uniform distribution of particle size, which is about 15 nm, and good magnetic responsiveness were observed. In view of the fact that Fe₃O₄ owns superparamagnetism and that nano-gold can readily combine with biological molecules, glucose oxidase (GO _x ) was chosen as a model to penetrate the condition of immobilizing enzyme, and enzymatic properties of resultant immobilized enzyme were studied as well. By systematic optimization, we established that at 28°C, and pH (5.5) and when mole ratio of Fe₃O₄:HAuCl₄ was 0.5:1, the immobilization provided the best results. Finally, we are glad to find that the immobilized enzyme exhibits excellent thermostability in addition to its better stability than free enzyme. Thus, herein described immobilized enzyme could be used repeatedly with the assistance of an external magnetic field. Supported by the Science Foundation of Sichuan Province, China (Grant No. 2005A033) and Science Foundation of Sichuan Agricultural University for Distinguished Young Teachers (Grant No. 007202)