1. ABOUT THE DATASET -------------------- Title: Nanotape Catalysts: Inkjet-Printed Gold Structures for Phenol Degradation at Ambient Conditions. Creator(s): Nizzy James [1], Sean Collins [1], Quentin Ramasse [1], Kevin Critchley [1],Stephen D. Evans [1]. Organisation(s): 1. University of Leeds. Rights-holder(s): Copyright 2025 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; Collins, Sean; Ramasse, Quentin; Critchley, Kevin and D. Evans, Stephen (2025) Dataset for 'Nanotape Catalysts: Inkjet-Printed Gold Structures for Phenol Degradation at Ambient Conditions'. University of Leeds. [Dataset] https://doi.org/10.5518/1728. 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 1 - Figure 1 Morphological analysis of quasi one dimensional gold nanomaterials (AuNTs) obtained from Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Fig 2 - Figure 2 contains Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) images and analysis of quasi one dimensional gold nanomaterials- AuNTs. Fig 3 - Figure 3 contains Optical/plasmonic properties of gold nanostructures (AuNPs and AuNTs). Fig 4 - Evaluation of the catalytic performance of catalysts studied (AuNTs/AuNPs) in suspensions for the reduction of 4-Nitrophenol by sodium borohydride. Fig 5 - Oxidation of phenol with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at a phenol: H2O2 ratio of 1:2000 at room temperature. Fig 6 - Digital images and schematics of embedding the catalysts in gel using drop-casting and inkjet printing methods Fig 7 - Inkjet printing process for mesh structures with PVA hydrogel, showing freestanding hydrogels and thickness measurement of the gels printed, using Dektak profilometer. Fig 8 - Evaluation of the catalytic performance of AuNT-PVA hydrogel meshes and AuNT-PVA hydrogel tiles, each containing 9 µg of AuNTs, in the reduction of 4-Nitrophenol (4-NP). Fig S1 - Morphological analysis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) obtained from Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Fig S2 - Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis of gold Nanotapes (AuNTs), providing topographical insights into their morphology. Fig S4 - Comparison of reaction kinetics of 4-NP to 4-AP with NaBH4 and control consisting of Nitrophenol and NaBH4 without a catalyst. Fig S5 - The oxidation of phenol with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) using AuNT, AuNP, and HRP as catalysts in suspension containing UV-Vis spectra of phenol and its reaction intermediates and control reactions. Fig S6 - HPLC-based quantification of oxidation intermediates—benzoquinone (BQ), catechol (Ct), and hydroquinone (HQ)—during phenol oxidation with H₂O₂. Fig S7 - Comparison of the viscosity of PVA solutions with different molecular weights and printability check suing viscosity. Fig S8 - Drop watcher window view comparison for a higher and a lower molecular weight PVAs Dependence of the velocity of the droplet on the applied voltage. Fig S9 - Thickness measurement of the inkjet printed lines using Dektak surface profilometer. Fig S10 - Assessment of AuNT Leaching and Aqueous Stability via UV-Vis Spectroscopy. Fig S11 - Digital images of inkjet printed AuNX-PVA meshes Fig S12 - catalytic reduction process of 4- Nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4- Aminophenol (4-AP) with sodium borohydride (NaBH4) in the presence of AuNT in gel tiles and its reusability in inkjet printed gels and gel tiles. Fig S13 - Comparison of Meshes Printed with Inks Containing Varying AuNT Concentrations (OD400 at 5 and OD400 at 10). Fig S14 - 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. 1 – Morphological Characterization of AuNTs. AuNTs was 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: 100 nm, 20 nm, 10 nm). Fig. 2 – Characterization of AuNTs using AFM AFM (Bruker Dimension FastScan Bio AFM running NanoScope software version 9.4.) on mica for height profiling. Fig. 3 - Optical properties of AuNTs and AuNPs. UV–Vis Spectroscopy (Agilent Cary 5000 spectrophotometer with samples placed in Brand Micro UV cuvettes (10 mm path length)) for absorption spectra. Scanning TEM (STEM) based electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) was acquired on an SU-9000EA (Hitachi HighTech) scanning electron microscope equipped with a cold field emission gun electron source (~0.4 eV full width at half maximum in energy spread), a high angle annular dark field (HAADF) STEM detector, and an integrated energy loss spectrometer (Hitachi HighTech). The microscope was operated at 30 keV beam energy. . EELS data were processed using HyperSpy (version 1.7.2).29 The spectra were aligned to the zero loss peak to sub-pixel precision followed by removal of intensity spikes arising from X-rays or other high energy photons arriving at the detector. EELS spectrum images were analysed by non-negative matrix factorisation (NMF) as implemented within HyperSpy. Fig. 4 – Catalytic 4-Nitrophenol Reduction Monitoring: UV–Vis (absorbance at 400 nm) over time to calculate reaction rate. Catalysts: AuNTs/ AuNPs; reaction progress by sampling and UV–Vis analysis. Fig. 5 – Phenol Oxidation with H₂O₂ Conditions: Phenol : H₂O₂ = 1 : 2000 (molar) at room temperature. Catalysts: AuNTs/ AuNPs/ HRP; reaction progress by sampling and HPLC analysis. Fig. 6-7 – Gel Embedding of Gold Nanomaterials IN PVA gels. Gold nanomaterials were dispersed in aqueous PVA (4 wt%)/ AuNT suspensions and crosslinked: Mix AuNT suspension into PVA solution. Add 2:1 water/DMSO co‐solvent. Cast into moulds and allow gelation overnight at 4 °C. 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, mesh pattern. Profilometry: Dektak XT for line‐thickness measurements. Fig. 8 - Evaluation of the catalytic performance of AuNT-PVA hydrogel meshes and AuNT-PVA hydrogel tiles, each containing 9 µg of AuNTs, in the reduction of 4-Nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-Aminophenol (4-AP) Catalysts: AuNTs in inkjet printed meshes. UV-Vis absorption spectra recorded over 60 minutes with AuNT-PVA mesh (OD400=2, OD400=5, OD400=10). Supplementary Figures Fig. S1: TEM images and analysis of AuNP. Fig. S2: AFM height images of the AuNT on a mica surface are shown in the insets. By doing section analysis across the AuNT head and tail areas, the height of the two parts of the AuNT was calculated. Fig. S3: Schematic and kinetics of 4-NP → 4-AP reduction with NaBH₄ + AuNT. Fig. S4: Reaction kinetics of 4-NP reduction with AuNPs and AuNTs obtained using UV-Vis spectrometer (Agilent Cary 5000 spectrophotometer with samples placed in Brand Micro UV cuvettes (10 mm path length)). Fig. S5: Phenol + H₂O₂ oxidation kinetics using AuNT, AuNP, HRP in suspension quantified using HPLC. Fig. S6: HPLC-based quantification of oxidation intermediates—benzoquinone (BQ), catechol (Ct), and hydroquinone (HQ)—during phenol oxidation with H₂O₂. Fig. S7: Rheology—viscosity of PVA (various ) measured on a parallel-plate rheometer. Fig. S8: “Drop‐watcher” imaging of 4 wt% PVA in 2:1 water/DMSO during jetting and drop velocity calculation using the drop watcher window application of Dimatix printer 2850. Fig. S9: Dektak profilometry of printed line thickness. Fig. S10: Assessment of AuNT Leaching and Aqueous Stability using UV-Vis spectrometer (Agilent Cary 5000 spectrophotometer with samples placed in Brand Micro UV cuvettes (10 mm path length)). Fig. S11: Digital images of Meshes printed with OD₄₀₀ = 5 vs. 10 inks. Fig. S12: Comparative catalytic performance of meshes vs. gel tiles (4-NP reduction) using UV-Vis spectrometer (Agilent Cary 5000 spectrophotometer with samples placed in Brand Micro UV cuvettes (10 mm path length)). Fig. S13: Meshes printed with OD₄₀₀ = 5 vs. 10 inks—catalytic rate comparison using UV-Vis spectrometer (Agilent Cary 5000 spectrophotometer with samples placed in Brand Micro UV cuvettes (10 mm path length)). Fig. S14: HPLC analysis of AuNT meshes catalysed phenol oxidation.