Orthogonally self-sorted hydrogels with pathway-dependent morphology guide bimetallic nanozyme formation
Debolina Saha1, Shreya Sridhar1, Ipsita Sahu1
1Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy 502284, Telangana, India. priyadarshi@chy.iith.ac.in.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|June 16, 2026
Summary
Bimetallic silver/gold nanoparticles were formed in multicomponent hydrogels using orthogonal self-sorting. These nanoparticles exhibit catalytic activity for peroxidase-mimicking reactions and dye degradation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Catalysis
Background:
- Multicomponent hydrogels offer versatile platforms for material synthesis.
- Bimetallic nanoparticles show enhanced catalytic properties compared to monometallic counterparts.
- Controlling nanoparticle formation within hydrogels is crucial for advanced applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for synthesizing bimetallic silver/gold nanoparticles within multicomponent hydrogels.
- To investigate the catalytic activity of these nanoparticles in peroxidase-mimicking reactions and dye degradation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized orthogonal self-sorting of two components for controlled nanoparticle formation.
- Incorporated bimetallic silver/gold nanoparticles into a multicomponent hydrogel matrix.
- Evaluated catalytic performance through peroxidase-mimicking assays and dye degradation experiments.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized bimetallic silver/gold nanoparticles within the hydrogel matrix.
- Demonstrated efficient peroxidase-mimicking activity of the nanoparticles.
- Showcased significant dye degradation capabilities of the catalytic hydrogel system.
Conclusions:
- Orthogonal self-sorting provides an effective strategy for creating functional bimetallic nanoparticles in hydrogels.
- The developed Ag/Au nanoparticle-hydrogel composites are promising catalysts for environmental remediation and biochemical sensing.
