Thermogravimetric analysis to estimate the SAM surface coverage was done using a Q500 thermogravimetric analyzer (TA Instruments, DE, USA). The adsorption of proteins onto NPG was studied using a Varian Cary 50 UV–Visible spectrophotometer. UV–Vis spectra and absorbance readings were acquired using the Varian Cary 50 UV–Vis spectrophotometer. A Suprasil quartz spectrophotometer cuvette with a 10 mm light path and volume capacity of 1.0 mL (model number 14-385-902C, Fischer Scientific, Pittsburgh, PA, USA) was used for all experiments.
Electrodeposition and dealloying were carried out using an EG&G Princeton Applied Research 273A digital potentiostat/galvanostat and the PowerPULSE software. Cyclic voltammetry scans and reductive desorption studies were done using a VersaSTAT 4 potentiostat/galvanostat (Princeton Applied Research, AMETEK Scientific Instruments) and the VersaStudio software.