This disclosure describes the first viable non-enzyme protein encapsulated
within an aerogel. In this, a large excess of cyt. c is added to a
commercial buffered Au sot solution ( ) which results in the formation of
a gold.about.protein-protein superstructure in the absence of separation
techniques which destroy the superstructure.
The gold.about.protein-protein superstructure is then nanoglued into a
silica framework during the sol to gel transition. To form the gel, the
Au-cyt. c superstructure in buffered medium is added to a silica sol and
the composite gels are washed with acetone followed by liquid carbon
dioxide and then supercritically dried to form the aerogel.
The biocomposite aerogels have a multiplicity of applications particularly
in the realm of sensing and energy transformation.
