On the electron transfer mechanism between cytochrome c and metal electrodes.: Evidence for dynamic control at short distances

Cytochrome c was coordinatively bound to self-assembled monolayers of pyridine-terminated alkanethiols on Au and Ag electrodes. The mechanism of heterogeneous electron transfer of the immobilized protein was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and time-resolved surface-enhanced resonance Raman spectroelectro-chemistry. The temperature, distance, and overpotential dependencies of the electron transfer rates indicate a change of mechanism from a tunneling controlled reaction at long distances (thicker films) to a solvent/protein friction controlled reaction at smaller distances (thinner films).