Laser desorption ionization mass spectrometric imaging of mass barcoded gold nanoparticles for security applications

Abstract

Patterns created by the inkjet printing of functionalized gold nanoparticles (NPs) can be selectively detected by laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (LDI-IMS). These patterns can only be visualized by mass, providing a robust yet tunable system for potential anti-counterfeiting applications.

Inkjet-Printed Gold Nanoparticle Surfaces for the Detection of Low Molecular Weight Biomolecules by Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

“…Inkjet-printing has been used by our group and others to deposit NPs on a surface [25,[31][32][33][34][35]. Upon printing 2 nm TEGOH AuNPs we find that the AuNPs are more homogenously distributed than pipette spotting (Figure 3), and as a result analyte ions can be detected by SALDI-MS anywhere on the printed surface.…”

“…We investigate how NP deposition method and NP monolayer chemistry influence the ionization efficiency of amino acids, which have been chosen as test analytes because they are biologically relevant small molecules. We find that inkjet-printing [25,[31][32][33][34][35] is a convenient and reproducible means of producing NP-coated surfaces that enable the very efficient ionization of these molecules.…”

“…Nanomaterials have been investigated as alternatives to traditional organic matrices because they often have the proper optical properties to absorb UV laser light and facilitate ionization, while at the same time producing fewer interfering ions. Various types of nano-structured surfaces, including silicon and platinum [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14], and different nanoparticles (NPs), including carbon-, silicon-, iron oxide-, titanium dioxide-, zinc oxide-based and noble metal NPs (gold, silver, and platinum) have been studied as alternate matrices [6,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25].…”

White-light upconversion emission of lanthanide double-doped oxide nanoparticles via defect state luminescence of ZnO

“…The doping of Ln 3+ ions can convert the near-infrared (NIR) into visible light. The NIR excitation can penetrate the skin, which has potential biological applications, such as bioimaging and multifunctional biological probes [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. The white UCL has a broad range of emission wavelengths, including blue, green, and red emissions, generating a large library of spectral region that can be used for multiplexed biological labeling and encoding [16,17].…”

Nanoparticles for Mass Spectrometry Applications

“…AuNPs functionalized with unique ligands containing a thiol group, an alkane chain, an oligo(ethylene) glycol, and a variable ammonium group to provide distinct mass signatures are capable of acting as exclusive mass barcodes as LDI agents for the analysis of ink-jet-printed patterns [77]. The patterns can only be visualized by mass constituting a system for potential anti-counterfeiting applications in industry.…”