Direct electrochemistry of myoglobin based on bicontinuous gyroidal mesoporous carbon matrix

A strategy of protein entrapment within the bicontinuous gyroidal mesoporous carbon (BGMC) matrix is demonstrated to probe the direct electrochemistry of myoglobin. Large surface area and remarkable electro-catalytic properties of BGMC make it a suitable candidate for high loading of protein molecules and the promotion of heterogeneous electron transfer (ET). In contrast with carbon nanotubes and general carbon mesoporous materials, BGMC is of a relatively isotropic graphited structure and thus can more effectively enhance the heterogeneous ET. Furthermore, a series of BGMCs with different pore sizes (2-7 nm) is designed and synthesized to study the influence of pore size on the immobilization of redox proteins and on the electron transfer. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.