Modulation of the Interparticle Spacing and Optical Behavior of Nanoparticle Ensembles Using a Single Protein Spacer

Proteins provide versatile mediators for assembling nanoparticles into organized composites. Here, we demonstrate that a single protein spacer (lysozyme) can be used to direct the self-assembly of gold mixed monolayer protected clusters into controlled ensembles with varied functional response. This efficient self-assembly process provides nanocomposites featuring tunable interparticle spacings, as determined through small angle X-ray scattering, varied sample morphology, as observed by transmission electron microscopy, and modular collective optical behavior, as examined through UV−visible spectroscopic measurements.