Flexible and functional SiO2 nanofibers immobilized with nickel nanoparticles for nanocatalysis and protein adsorption

A high coverage of nickel nanoparticles (NPs) anchored on the surface of SiO 2 nanofibers (SiO 2 NF) with one-dimensional (1D) structure was developed for nanocatalysis and protein adsorption by combining an extend Stöber method with a carbonization process. Firstly, a complex of polydopamine and nickel ion (PDA-Ni 2+ ) was easily coated on SiO 2 NF in an extend Stöber condition. Subsequently, a high loading amount of nickel NPs anchored on SiO 2 NF via an annealing process in a nitrogen atmosphere. Notably, owing to the polydopamine-Ni 2+ precursor, the generated Ni NPs could be well dispersed on SiO 2 NF without obvious aggregation. Additionally, the size and density of Ni NPs could be finely tuned by adjusting the pyrolysis temperature or the molar ratio between dopamine and nickel ion. Benefiting from the magnetism derived from Ni NPs, the cloth-like morphology and flexibility of SiO 2 NF, the resultant SiO 2 @C-Ni nanofibers can be easily recycled and reused, facilitating practical applications. Thus, the as-prepared SiO 2 @C-Ni nanofibers manifested excellent performance both on the reduction of 4-nitrophenol(4-NP) and the adsorption histidine-rich (His-rich) proteins. Ni NPs decorated one dimensional SiO 2 nanofibers with N-doped carbon layer from polydopamine(PDA) are facilely synthesized by an electrospinning process, mussel chemistry and subsequent annealing treatment. • The SiO 2 @C-Ni nanofibers were synthesized through a polydopamine-Ni 2+ coating and carbonization treatment. • Owing to plenty of Ni NPs and fiber structure, the SiO 2 @C-Ni nanofibers can be easily collected. • The SiO 2 @C-Ni nanofibers exhibited high performance in protein adsorption and nanocatalysis.