Yu, Y.Addai-Mensah, J.Losic, D.2014-12-172014-12-172010Langmuir: the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids, 2010; 26(17):14068-140720743-74631520-5827http://hdl.handle.net/2440/88284Diatoms (unicellular algae) form porous silica walls (frustule) with intricate, hierarchically organized three-dimensional (3D) structures with micro- to nanoscale dimensions. This paper presents the fabrication of self-supporting gold microstructures with complex 3D morphologies by using electroless gold deposition onto a diatom silica substrate, followed by the substrate removal by acid dissolution. It was demonstrated that gold diatom replicas with distinct micro- to nanoscale structures can be created by a simple and scalable process based on electroless gold deposition. Excellent catalytic properties (catalytic rate constant k = 23.5 ± 1 × 10−2 min−1) of prepared gold replica catalysts were confirmed for the reduction process of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) into 4-aminophenol (4-AP) in the presence of NaBH4 as the reductant. This synthetic approach is general and flexible, and it is envisaged that it can be applied for the preparation of a wide range of different metals (Pt, Pd, Ag, Ni, etc.) offering more efficient catalytic, optical, or magnetic properties.en© 2010 American Chemical SocietyDiatomsBorohydridesGoldSilicon DioxideAminophenolsNitrophenolsOxidation-ReductionCatalysisParticle SizeSurface PropertiesPorosityMetal NanoparticlesJournal article002012786410.1021/la102083t0002813540000492-s2.0-7795795869919922Losic, D. [0000-0002-1930-072X]