Mechanism of silica–lysozyme composite formation unravelled by in situ fast SAXS

• DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.10.17
• Publication Date: 2019-01-14T15:02:16Z
• Authors: Tomasz M Stawski; Daniela B van den...; Rogier Besselink; Dominique J Tobler; Liane G Benning
• Keywords: Small-angle X-ray scattering

A quantitative understanding of aggregation mechanisms leading to the formation inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) and protein composites in aqueous media is paramount interest for colloid chemistry. In particular, interactions between silica (SiO2) NPs lysozyme (LZM) have attracted attention, because LZM well-known adsorb strongly NPs, while at same time preserving its enzymatic activity. The inherent nature processes NP-LZM involves structural changes length-scales from few hundreds nanometres but also scales << 1 second. To unravel these we used situ synchrotron-based small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) followed subtle interparticle solution a resolution 50 ms/frame (20 fps). We show that if size (~5 nm diameter) matched by dimensions LZM, evolving patterns contain unique structure factor contribution originating presence LZM. developed model applied it analyse this function, which allowed us extract information on deformation molecules during aggregation, as well derive composite formation.