Adsorption Studies at the Graphene Oxide–Liquid Interface: A Molecular Dynamics Study

The adsorption of organic aromatic molecules, namely aniline, onto graphene oxide is investigated using molecular simulations. The effect of the oxidation level of the graphene oxide sheet as well as the presence of two different halide salts, sodium chloride and sodium iodide, were examined. The aniline molecule in the more-reduced graphene oxide case, in the absence of added salt, showed a slightly greater affinity for the graphene oxide–water interface as compared to the oxidized form. The presence of the iodide ion increased the affinity of the aniline molecule in the reduced case but had the opposite effect for the more-oxidized form. The effect of oxidation and added salt on the interfacial water layer was also examined

Hosting Adamantane in the Substrate Pocket of Laccase: Direct Bioelectrocatalytic Reduction of O₂ on Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes

We report the efficient immobilization and orientation of laccase from <i>Trametes versicolor</i> on MWCNT electrodes using 1-pyrenebutyric acid adamantyl amide as a supramolecular linker. We demonstrate the ability of adamantane to specifically interact with the hydrophobic cavity of laccase, while pyrene interacts with MWCNT sidewalls by π–π interactions. Adamantane allows the oriented immobilization of laccases on MWCNT electrodes. Using an anthraquinone-modified pyrene derivative for comparison, adamantane-modified MWCNTs achieve the stable immobilization and orientation of a higher number of enzymes per surface units, as confirmed by electrochemistry, theoretical calculations, and quartz crystal microbalance experiments. Furthermore, the efficient direct electron transfer ensures bioelectrocatalytic oxygen reduction at high half-wave potential of 0.55 V vs SCE accompanied by no kinetic limitation by the heterogeneous electron transfer and maximum current densities of 2.4 mA cm^–2