Biomimetic graphene–FePt nanohybrids with high solubility, ferromagnetism, fluorescence, and enhanced electrocatalytic activity

Biomimetic synthesis is one of the facile strategies for creating novel nanostructured materials. Here we reported ferritin (Fr)-mediated biomimetic synthesis of FePt nanoparticles (NPs) on graphene nanosheets (GNs). GNs were noncovalently modified with 1-pyrenebutyric acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester to provide binding sites for Fr molecules. The successful modification was demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and the formation of GN–Fr nanohybrids were identified with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FePt NPs were synthesized by chemical reduction of metallic Fe2+ and PtCl62− that entered the core of Frs. The created GN–FePt nanohybrids exhibit multifunctions like high water-solubility, ferromagnetism, fluorescence, and enhanced electrocatalytic activity. The synthesized GN–FePt nanohybrids have potential applications in drug delivery, cell imaging, and biosensors.