Biocompatible gold/silver nanostars for surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Abstract

Raman-enhancing properties of chitosan (CS)-coated gold/silver nanostars (Au/AgNSs) were demonstrated by using them as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) probe. Based on the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy element distribution maps and highly enhanced SERS spectra, we suggest that the incorporation of silver into the NS tips leads to a stronger SERS behavior. The SERS spectra of the proteins adsorbed on the NS surface greatly differ from their respective Raman spectra in both the band positions and relative intensities, indicating that the protein molecules penetrate through the CS coating layer and interact closely with the NS surface. Raman and SERS spectra of Chlamydia trachomatis protease/proteasomelike activity factor are reported for the first time, demonstrating the potential of these NSs for the development of a diagnosis method for Chlamydia based on SERS. The results showed a good SERS performance of the Au/AgNSs and their potential for SERS detection of biomolecules.

Smart supramolecular sensing with cucurbit[n]urils: probing hydrogen bonding with SERS

“…Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) has attracted wide-spread interest on account of its potential for sensing down to the single molecule level. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] This has led to a wealth of research on detecting trace amounts of pollutants, 9 poisons 10 and explosives, 11,12 achieved by plasmonic constructs such as core-shell nanoparticles, 13 nanostars, [14][15][16][17][18] nanoparticle aggregates, 19,20 nanowire junctions [21][22][23][24] and plasmonic tips [25][26][27] (Tip-Enhanced Raman Scattering, TERS). Recently, SERS has also been used to study reactions 28 and conformational changes in molecules.…”

Recent advances in linear and non‐linear Raman spectroscopy. Part XI

“…Childs et al explored the use of gold/silver nanostars (NSs) as a substrate for SERS. The results showed good SERS performance for Au/AgNSs and their potential for SERS detection of biological molecules . Guo and co‐workers developed a facile approach to fabricate Au@SiO 2 dimers through a steric hindrance effect in which the SiO 2 shell functioned as a block and a rigid dithiol molecule was employed as linker.…”

“…The Ninth International Conference on Advanced Vibrational Spectroscopy (ICAVS-9) was held in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, from June [11][12][13][14][15][16]2017. The ICAVS conference series consists of meetings held biennially starting with ICAVS-1 in Turku, Finland, in 2001 and continuing with conferences in Nottingham, England, (ICAVS-2, 2003); Delavan, Wisconsin, USA, (ICAVS- 3,2005); Corfu, Greece, (ICAVS-4, 2007); Melbourne, Year Raman spectroscopy SERS "Biological" OR "biomedical" "Nanoparticles" OR "nanotubes" OR "graphene" "Non-linear" OR "time-resolved" "Art" OR "archaeology" "Resonance"…”

“…The results showed good SERS performance for Au/AgNSs and their potential for SERS detection of biological molecules. [12] Guo and coworkers developed a facile approach to fabricate Au@SiO 2 dimers through a steric hindrance effect in which the SiO 2 shell functioned as a block and a rigid dithiol molecule was employed as linker. They found that the thickness of the SiO 2 shell played a critical role in improving the yield of dimers.…”

Multifunctional plasmonic nanostructures for biomedical application

“…The electromagnetic field surrounding the roughened metal surface and the coupling of Au branches plays a pivotal role for enhancing the SERS intensity. 150,151 Here, FEM calculations were performed to estimate the electric field intensity on the AuSF nanoparticle surface when excited by a 785 nm laser (Figure 4.8a).…”