Single-Particle Study on Hg Amalgamation Mechanism and Slow Inward Diffusion in Mesoporous Silica-Coated Gold Nanorods without Structural Deformation

This paper presents the structural and spectral variations of individual mesoporous silica-coated gold nanorods (AuNRs@mSiO₂) compared to bare AuNRs upon Hg-Au amalgamation. First, the aspect ratio of AuNRs@mSiO₂ exposed to Hg solutions was unchanged because the deformation related to the cores of AuNR was suppressed by the silica shell. Second, dark-field microscopy and spectroscopy revealed a blue shift of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) wavelength peak and strong plasmon damping in the individual AuNRs@mSiO₂ scattering spectra, exposed to Hg solutions. Furthermore, we investigated time-dependent adsorption kinetics and spectral changes during the formation of Au-Hg amalgam in single AuNRs@mSiO₂ over a long time frame without any disturbance from the structural deformation. The inward Hg diffusion into the AuNR core caused a gradual red shift and line width narrowing of the LSPR peak when AuNRs@mSiO₂ were withdrawn from Hg solution. Thus, this paper provides new insights into the relationship among amalgamation process, morphological change, the role of silica shell, Hg inward diffusion, LSPR peak, and line width at the single-particle level.

Single-particle spectroelectrochemistry: electrochemical tuning of plasmonic properties via mercury amalgamation in mesoporous silica coated gold nanorods without structural deformation

This paper presented the possibility of the in situ tuning of the LSPR properties of AuNRs@mSiO2 by Hg deposition via electrochemical potential manipulations without the disturbance of the structural variations of AuNR cores.

Biosensing Applications Using Nanostructure-Based Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensors

Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-based biosensors have recently garnered increasing attention due to their potential to allow label-free, portable, low-cost, and real-time monitoring of diverse analytes. Recent developments in this technology have focused on biochemical markers in clinical and environmental settings coupled with advances in nanostructure technology. Therefore, this review focuses on the recent advances in LSPR-based biosensor technology for the detection of diverse chemicals and biomolecules. Moreover, we also provide recent examples of sensing strategies based on diverse nanostructure platforms, in addition to their advantages and limitations. Finally, this review discusses potential strategies for the development of biosensors with enhanced sensing performance.

Carbon Quantum Dots Prepared with Chitosan for Synthesis of CQDs/AuNPs for Iodine Ions Detection

Water-soluble and reductive carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were fabricated by the hydrothermal carbonization of chitosan. Acting as a reducing agent and stabilizer, the as-prepared CQDs were further used to synthesize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). This synthetic process was carried out in aqueous solution, which was absolutely "green". Furthermore, the CQDs/AuNPs composite was used to detect iodine ions by the colorimetric method. A color change from pink to colorless was observed with the constant addition of I- ions, accompanied by a decrease in the absorbance of the CQDs/AuNPs composite. According to the absorbance change, a favorable linear relationship was obtained between ΔA and I- concentration in the range of 20⁻140 μM and 140⁻400 μM. The detection limit of iodide ions, depending on the 3δ/slope, was estimated to be 2.3 μM, indicating high sensitivity to the determination of iodide. More importantly, it also showed good selectivity toward I- over other anion ions, and was used for the analysis of salt samples. Moreover, TEM results indicated that I- ions induced the aggregation of CQDs/AuNPs, resulting in changes in color and absorbance.

Photoluminescent AuNCs@UiO-66 for Ultrasensitive Detection of Mercury in Water Samples

In this work, we synthesized gold nanoclusters within a Zirconium-based metal-organic framework (AuNCs@UiO-66) that may create new prospects for the development of novel sensing materials for biosensor applications. The resulting AuNCs@UiO-66 nanocomposite exhibits red fluorescence with a high quantum yield (11%), and the AuNCs are homogeneously distributed along UiO-66. Analytical and morphological characterizations of the resulting material were carried out by UV-visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The synthesized AuNCs@UiO-66 nanocomposite was used for the effective detection of Hg²⁺ ions with a detection limit as low as 77 pM. Moreover, the fabricated sensors also successfully detected Hg²⁺ in real water samples. This sensor is stable and highly fluorescent, developed using a simple fabrication method, and would be constructive for the detection of other metal ions and in biological applications.

One-step eco-friendly approach for the fabrication of synergistically engineered fluorescent copper nanoclusters: sensing of Hg2+ ion and cellular uptake and bioimaging properties

Schematic illustration for one-step green synthetic approach for fabrication of synergistically engineered CuNCs.

A highly sensitive and widely adaptable plasmonic aptasensor using berberine for small-molecule detection

Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensors allow label-free detection of small molecules in molecular binding events; however, they are limited by a relatively low sensitivity and narrow dynamic range. Here, we report highly sensitive small-molecule detection by LSPR peak shift exploiting the G-quadruplex (GQx) structure-binding characteristic of known GQx binders to enhance the LSPR signal of a plasmonic aptasensor. Six known GQx binders (thiazole orange, malachite green, crystal violet, zinc protoporphyrin IX, thioflavin T, and berberine) were tested for their ability to enhance the LSPR signal. Among these, berberine (BER) induced the largest LSPR peak shift by interacting with the GQx structure formed by the aptamer/target binding event on a gold nanorod surface. This specific binding performance was confirmed by the fluorescence signal of BER and through repeated cycles of BER addition and washing on the plasmonic sensing chip. The proposed plasmonic aptasensor respectively showed limit of detection (LOD) of 0.56, 0.63, 0.87 and 1.05 pM for ochratoxin A, aflatoxin B1, adenosine triphosphate and potassium ions, which was 1000-fold higher than that in BER-free condition, and a wide dynamic range from 10 pM to 10μM. In addition, the proposed LSPR aptasensor could effectively be used to quantitatively analyze small molecules in real samples.

Tyrosine assisted size controlled synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their catalytic, in-vitro cytotoxicity evaluation

A simple, green approach for the size controllable preparation of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) using tyrosine as reducing and capping agent is shown here. The size of SNPs is controlled by varying the pH of tyrosine solution. The as synthesized SNPs are characterized by using XRD, UV-Visible, DLS, TEM and SAED. Zeta potential measurements revealed the stability of tyrosine capped silver nanocolloids. Furthermore, catalytic activity studies concluded that the smaller SNPs acts as good catalyst and the catalytic activity depends on size of the nanoparticles. Further, the in-vitro cytotoxicity experiments concluded that the cytotoxicity of the prepared SNPs towards mouse fibroblast (3T3) cell lines is size and dose dependent. Additionally, the present approach is substitute to the traditional methods that are being used now-a-days for size controlled synthesis of SNPs.

Rapid Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Pepino (Solanum muricatum) Leaf Extract and Their Cytotoxicity on HeLa Cells

Within nanotechnology, gold and silver nanostructures have unique physical, chemical, and electronic properties [1,2], which make them suitable for a number of applications. Moreover, biosynthetic methods are considered to be a safer alternative to conventional physicochemical procedures for both the environmental and biomedical applications, due to their eco-friendly nature and the avoidance of toxic chemicals in the synthesis. For this reason, employing bio routes in the synthesis of functionalized silver nanoparticles (FAgNP) have gained importance recently in this field. In the present study, we report the rapid synthesis of FAgNP through the extract of pepino (Solanum muricatum) leaves and employing microwave oven irradiation. The core-shell globular morphology and characterization of the different shaped and sized FAgNP, with a core of 20-50 nm of diameter is established using the UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Zeta potential and dynamic light scanning (DLS) studies. Moreover, cytotoxic studies employing HeLa (human cervix carcinoma) cells were undertaken to understand FAgNP interactions with cells. HeLa cells showed significant dose dependent antiproliferative activity in the presence of FAgNP at relatively low concentrations. The calculated IC₅₀ value was 37.5 µg/mL, similar to others obtained for FAgNPs against HeLa cells.

Eicosyl ammoniums elicited thermal reduction alleyway towards gold nanoparticles and their chemo-sensor aptitude

The construction of dimethylenebis(eicosyldimethylammonium bromide) surfactant-directed gold nanoparticles (NPs) has been accomplished via a one-pot thermal reduction of HAuCl4 with trisodium citrate. The effect of cationic twin-tail surfactants, dimethylenebis(hexadecyldimethylammonium bromide) (16-2-16), dimethylenebis(octadecyldimethylammonium bromide) (18-2-18) and dimethylenebis(eicosyldimethylammonium bromide) (20-2-20), and their concentrations on shape and size of Au nanoparticles was thoroughly investigated. The UV-Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results show that longer tail length surfactants act as shape-directing agents promoting diversified morphologies. The formation of multiple-shaped Au nanoparticles, such as round, hexagonal, pentagonal, triangular and rod-like, has been confirmed from microstructure analysis; among them, many triangular shapes enhanced at elevated levels of surfactant concentration. In addition, the triangular Au nanoparticles with truncated corners were changed to smooth corners as the hydrocarbon chain length increased from (18-2-18) to (20-2-20). The concentration and hydrocarbon tails of twin-tail surfactants strongly influence the size and structure of Au NPs. In addition, the Au NPs synthesized with the twin-tail surfactant (18-2-18) were found to be highly sensitive towards Hg(2+), which could be because of the preferential adsorption of Hg(0) on the lower energy facets of triangular-shaped Au NPs.

CdS quantum dots immobilized on calcium alginate microbeads for rapid and selective detection of Hg2+ ions

Immobilized CdS QDs for selective detection and pre-concentration of Hg²⁺.

Real-time dark-field scattering microscopic monitoring of the in situ growth of single Ag@Hg nanoalloys

A comprehensive understanding of the growth mechanism of nanoalloys is beneficial in designing and synthesizing nanoalloys with precisely tailored properties to extend their applications. Herein, we present the investigation in this aspect by real-time monitoring of the in situ growth of single Ag@Hg nanoalloys, through direct amalgamation of Ag nanoparticles with elemental mercury, by dark-field scattering microscopy. Four typically shaped Ag nanoparticles, such as rods, triangular bipyramids, cubes, and spheres, were used as seeds for studying the growth of Ag@Hg nanoalloys. The scattered light of Ag nanoparticles of different shapes, on exposure to the growth solution, exhibited a noticeable blue-shift followed by a red-shift, suggesting the growth of Ag@Hg nanoalloys. The formation of Ag@Hg nanoalloys was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmit electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and elemental mapping and line scanning. Further analysis of the time-dependent spectral data and morphological change of single nanoparticles during the growth led to the visual identification of the growth mechanism of single Ag@Hg nanoalloys. Three important steps were involved: first, rapid adsorption of Hg atoms onto Ag nanoparticles; second, initial diffusion of Hg atoms into Ag nanoparticles, rounding or shortening the particles; third, further diffusion of Hg atoms leading to the formation of spherical Ag@Hg nanoalloys. On the basis of these results, Ag@Hg nanoalloys with given optical properties can be synthesized. Moreover, dark-field scattering microscopy is expected to be a powerful tool used for real-time monitoring of the in situ growth of other metal nanoparticles.