The formation of copper oxide cores within the nanoscale cavity of the iron sequestration protein, ferritin (Ftn) was investigated in regards to its photochemistry of the high priority environmental pollutant, hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). After synthesis, the copper loaded ferritin (CuFtn) was characterized with dynamic light scattering (DLS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) (Figure 01) to confirm similarities with traditional Ftn. Photochemistry of CuFtn was studied as a function of incident wavelength and compared to iron loaded ferritin (FeFtn). Initially, CuFtn and FeFtn were mixed with specific Cu(II) and Fe(II) specific chelators to study the potential release of the metal species, where Fe(II) was released from FeFtn (previously observed) but a similar release of Cu(II) was not observed from CuFtn. However, both CuFtn and FeFtn were capable of reducing Cr(VI) in the presence of a hole scavenger, tartrate, and simulated solar radiation (λ &lt; 475 nm). The reduction of Cr(VI) in the absence of an aqueous reducing species, released from the ferritin, suggests that Cr(VI) reduction occurs either through the protein shell or within the protein cage. Mechanistic discussions and future directions will be addressed.

Copper ferritin for the photoreduction of hexavalent chromium

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.