CdS nanoparticles in R-phycoerythrin, a protein matrix

Cadmium sulfide nanoparticles (3.2 to 5.6 nm) are synthesized using R-phycoerythrin as a protein matrix. The effects of the reactant concentrations and solution pH on the particle size of CdS are examined. The optical and photochemical properties of the nanoparticles are studied. Selective fluorimetry results suggest that CdS particles ≥3.2 nm in diameter are hetero aggregates. It is found that, during photo reduction of methyl viologen dichloride, the synthesis of CdS nanoparticles resumes. The growth of CdS particles is presumably restricted by the dimensions of the channel in the center of the R-phycoerythrin hexamer (3.5 x 6 nm)