Cadmium sulfide nanoparticle synthesis in Dps protein from Listeria innocua

Cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized in the cavity of the recombinant Dps cage-shaped protein from Listeria innocua (rLiDps) modifying the slow chemical reaction synthesis (SCRY) and two-step synthesis protocol (TSSP). The SCRY is realized by stabilizing cadmium ions as tetraamminecadmium and employing thioacetic acid (which is added in the final stage of the TSSP). The optimized condition produced cubic CdS NPs in the rLiDps cavity with an average diameter of 4.2 nm and small size dispersion. These CdS NPs showed photoluminescence. It was also found that the pH of the reaction solution affects the elemental composition CdS NPs. At pH 4.5 and 6.5, CdxSy (x < y) NPs were obtained, and at pH 8.5, cubic CdS NPs were synthesized at pH 8.5.