1. ABOUT THE DATASET
--------------------

Title: Room Temperature Catalytic Degradation of Phenolic Compounds Using Inkjet-Printed Gold Nanotape-PVA Hydrogels

Creator(s): Nizzy James [1], Kevin Critchley [1],Stephen D. Evans [1].

Organisation(s): 1. University of Leeds.

Publication Year: 2025

Description: This dataset contains experimental data on the catalytic performance of gold nanotapes (AuNTs) embedded in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel matrices for the degradation of phenolic compounds, including 4-nitrophenol and phenol. The data were generated through a combination of batch catalytic reactions, spectrophotometric analysis, and comparative studies involving spherical gold nanoparticles and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The dataset includes information on synthesis conditions, reaction kinetics, reusability tests, and the performance of catalysts in various formats: free suspension, drop-casted gels, and inkjet-printed hydrogel meshes. This dataset is relevant for researchers developing sustainable nanozyme-based catalytic systems, especially those interested in the use of nano enzymes for water treatment applications.

Cite as: James, Nizzy;Critchley, Kevin and D. Evans, Stephen (2025) Dataset for 'Room Temperature Catalytic Degradation of Phenolic Compounds Using Inkjet-Printed Gold Nanotape-PVA Hydrogels'. University of Leeds. [Dataset] https://doi.org/10.5518/1678.

Contact: s.d.evans@leeds.ac.uk

2. TERMS OF USE
---------------

[A standard copyright notice and licence statement with URL can be used, e.g. Copyright [publication year] [University of Leeds, name of other rights-holder(s)]. Unless otherwise stated, this dataset is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.]

3. PROJECT AND FUNDING INFORMATION
----------------------------------

Title: Atomically thin gold and its applications in biomedical sensing

Dates: 1st October 2021

Funding organisation: EPSRC

Grant no.: EP/X013588/1(REFUTE), EP/Yo1488X/1 , EP/W033151/1(BETATRON), EP/Y01488X/1 (HYBIFA).

4. CONTENTS
-----------
Fig 2 - Figure 2 contains morphological and optical characterisation of gold nanomaterials.
Fig 3 - Figure 3 contains gold nanomaterials in gel.
Fig 4 - Figure 4 contains inkjet-printed PVA hydrogel mesh structures of gold nanotapes and thickness measurments.
Fig 5 - Evaluation of the catalytic performance of AuNT -PVA hydrogel meshes and AuNT -PVA hydrogel tiles, each containing 9 µg of AuNT, in the reduction of 4-Nitrophenol
Fig 6 - Oxidation of phenol with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at a phenol: H2O2 ratio of 1:2000 at room temperature.
Fig S1 - TEM images of AuNT showing the head and tail structure with scale bars of 50 nm and 10 nm. (b) AFM height images of the AuNT on a mica surface are shown in the insets.
Fig S2 - Comparison of viscosity of PVA solutions with different molecular weights
Fig S3 - Drop watcher window view of (a) 4 wt% PVA in a 2:1 water/DMSO mixture, captured using the drop watcher system of the Dimatix printer.
Fig S4 - Thickness measurement of the inkjet printed lines using Dektak surface profilometer
Fig S5 - Digital images of inkjet printed AuNX-PVA meshes
Fig S6 - Schematics showing the catalytic reduction process of 4- Nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4- Aminophenol (4-AP) with sodium borohydride (NaBH4) in the presence of AuNT.
Fig S7 - Comparison of reaction kinetics of 4-NP to 4- AP with NaBH4.
Fig S8 - Evaluvation of the Catalytic Performance of AuNT in Inkjet-Printed Meshes and gel tiles for the Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol to 4-Aminophenol.
Fig S9 - Comparison of Meshes Printed with Inks Containing Varying AuNT Concentrations (OD400 at 5 and OD400 at 10).
Fig S10 - The oxidation of phenol with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) using AuNT, AuNP, and HRP as catalysts in suspension
Fig S11 - Oxidation of phenol with hydrogen peroxide: Quantification of side products.
Fig S12 - Inkjet-printed AuNT meshes used for the oxidation of phenol with hydrogen peroxide .
Table 1: Checking gel formation of different concentrations of PVA of different types.
Table 2: PVA- MOWIOL gel formation with Water/DMSO as solvent.
Table 3: Summary of AAS results
Video - Mesh reusability

5. METHODS{, 2022 #633}
----------

Fig. 2 – Morphological & Optical Characterization
Gold nanomaterials (nanotapes, nanoplates, etc.) were prepared via the seed‐mediated/ template assisted growth method.

TEM (Tecnai G2 Spirit TEM (T12) operated at an acceleration voltage of 120 kV equipped with a Gatan Us4000 CCD camera for image capture) for size/shape (scale bars: 50 nm, 10 nm).

AFM (Bruker Dimension FastScan Bio AFM running NanoScope software version 9.4.) on mica for height profiling.

UV–Vis Spectroscopy (Agilent Cary 5000 spectrophotometer with samples placed in Brand Micro UV cuvettes (10 mm path length)) for plasmonic absorption bands.

Fig. 3 – Gel Embedding of Gold Nanomaterials
Gold nanomaterials were dispersed in aqueous PVA (4 wt%) and crosslinked:

Mix AuNT suspension into PVA solution.

Add 2:1 water/DMSO co‐solvent.

Cast into molds and allow gelation overnight at 4 °C.

Fig. 4 – Inkjet‐Printed PVA Hydrogel Meshes

Ink Preparation: 4 wt% PVA in 2:1 water/DMSO, loaded with AuNT (OD₄₀₀ = 5 or 10).

Printing: Dimatix DMP‐2850, 10 pL nozzles, rastered mesh pattern.

Profilometry: Dektak XT for line‐thickness measurements.

Fig. 5 – Catalytic 4-Nitrophenol Reduction

Monitoring: UV–Vis (absorbance at 400 nm) over time to calculate reaction rate.

Fig. 6 – Phenol Oxidation with H₂O₂

Conditions: Phenol : H₂O₂ = 1 : 2000 (molar) at room temperature.

Catalysts: AuNT meshes; reaction progress by sampling and UV–Vis analysis.

Supplementary Figures
Fig. S1: Detailed TEM & AFM of AuNT head–tail morphology (see above).

Fig. S2: Rheology—viscosity of PVA (various ) measured on a parallel-plate rheometer.

Fig. S3: “Drop‐watcher” imaging of 4 wt% PVA in 2:1 water/DMSO during jetting.

Fig. S4: Dektak profilometry of printed line thickness.

Fig. S5: Photographs of dried AuNX-PVA meshes.

Fig. S6–S7: Schematic and kinetics of 4-NP → 4-AP reduction with NaBH₄ + AuNT.

Fig. S8: Comparative catalytic performance of meshes vs. gel tiles (4-NP reduction).

Fig. S9: Meshes printed with OD₄₀₀ = 5 vs. 10 inks—catalytic rate comparison.

Fig. S10: Phenol + H₂O₂ oxidation kinetics using AuNT, AuNP, HRP in suspension.

Fig. S11: HPLC quantification of oxidation side‐products.

Fig. S12: HPLC analysis of AuNT meshes post‐oxidation reaction.