Detection of chemical and biological agents plays a fundamental role in biomedical, forensic and environmental sciences1–4 as well as in anti bioterrorism applications.5–7 The development of highly sensitive, cost effective, miniature sensors is therefore in high demand which requires advanced technology coupled with fundamental knowledge in chemistry, biology and material sciences.8–13

In general, sensors feature two functional components: a recognition element to provide selective/specific binding with the target analytes and a transducer component for signaling the binding event. An efficient sensor relies heavily on these two essential components for the recognition process in terms of response time, signal to noise (S/N) ratio, selectivity and limits of detection (LOD).14,15 Therefore, designing sensors with higher efficacy depends on the development of novel materials to improve both the recognition and transduction processes. Nanomaterials feature unique physicochemical properties that can be of great utility in creating new recognition and transduction processes for chemical and biological sensors15–27 as well as improving the S/N ratio by miniaturization of the sensor elements.28

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) possess distinct physical and chemical attributes that make them excellent scaffolds for the fabrication of novel chemical and biological sensors (Figure 1).29–36 First, AuNPs can be synthesized in a straightforward manner and can be made highly stable. Second, they possess unique optoelectronic properties. Third, they provide high surface-to-volume ratio with excellent biocompatibility using appropriate ligands.30 Fourth, these properties of AuNPs can be readily tuned varying their size, shape and the surrounding chemical environment. For example, the binding event between recognition element and the analyte can alter physicochemical properties of transducer AuNPs, such as plasmon resonance absorption, conductivity, redox behavior, etc. that in turn can generate a detectable response signal. Finally, AuNPs offer a suitable platform for multi-functionalization with a wide range of organic or biological ligands for the selective binding and detection of small molecules and biological targets.30–32,36 Each of these attributes of AuNPs has allowed researchers to develop novel sensing strategies with improved sensitivity, stability and selectivity. In the last decade of research, the advent of AuNP as a sensory element provided us a broad spectrum of innovative approaches for the detection of metal ions, small molecules, proteins, nucleic acids, malignant cells, etc. in a rapid and efficient manner.37



Figure 1

Physical properties of AuNPs and schematic illustration of an AuNP-based detection system.



In this current review, we have highlighted the several synthetic routes and properties of AuNPs that make them excellent probes for different sensing strategies. Furthermore, we will discuss various sensing strategies and major advances in the last two decades of research utilizing AuNPs in the detection of variety of target analytes including metal ions, organic molecules, proteins, nucleic acids, and microorganisms.

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Gold nanoparticles in chemical and biological sensing.

A superhydrophobic surface is a surface with a water contact angle close to or higher than 150°. In this feature article, we review the historical and present research on superhydrophobic surfaces, including the characterization of superhydrophobicity, different ways to fabricate rough surfaces, and low-surface-energy modifications on inorganic and organic rough surfaces. It is the combination of surface roughness and low-surface-energy modification that leads to superhydrophobicity. Notably, research on superhydrophobic surfaces has not only fundamental interest but various possible functional applications in micro- and nano-materials and devices.

Superhydrophobic surfaces: from structural control to functional application

Comprehensive knowledge over the shape of nanomaterials is a critical factor in designing devices with desired functions. Due to this reason, systematic efforts have been made to synthesize materials of diverse shape in the nanoscale regime. Anisotropic nanomaterials are a class of materials in which their properties are direction-dependent and more than one structural parameter is needed to describe them. Their unique and fine-tuned physical and chemical properties make them ideal candidates for devising new applications. In addition, the assembly of ordered one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) arrays of anisotropic nanoparticles brings novel properties into the resulting system, which would be entirely different from the properties of individual nanoparticles. This review presents an overview of current research in the area of anisotropic nanomaterials in general and noble metal nanoparticles in particular. We begin with an introduction to the advancements in this area followed by general aspects of the growth of anisotropic nanoparticles. Then we describe several important synthetic protocols for making anisotropic nanomaterials, followed by a summary of their assemblies, and conclude with major applications. (Published: 16 February 2011) Citation: Nano Reviews 2011, 2 : 5883 - DOI: 10.3402/nano.v2i0.5883

/pdf/anisotropic-nanomaterials-structure-growth-assembly-and-21v8jtqyny.pdf

Anisotropic nanomaterials: structure, growth, assembly, and functions

This review is an exhaustive representation of the electrochemical processes reported in the literature to produce superhydrophobic surfaces. Due to the intensive demand in the elaboration of superhydrophobic materials using low-cost, reproducible and fast methods, the use of strategies based on electrochemical processes have exponentially grown these last five years. These strategies are separated in two parts: the oxidation processes, such as oxidation of metals in solution, the anodization of metals or the electrodeposition of conducting polymers, and the reduction processed such as the electrodeposition of metals or the galvanic deposition. One of the main advantages of the electrochemical processes is the relative easiness to produce various surface morphologies and a precise control of the structures at a micro- or a nanoscale.

Superhydrophobic Surfaces by Electrochemical Processes

https://profdoc.um.ac.ir/articles/a/1087371.pdf

Science and Engineering of Superhydrophobic Surfaces: Review of Corrosion Resistance, Chemical and Mechanical Stability

Two-dimensional gold nanostructures have been fabricated by electrochemical deposition of gold nanoparticles onto indium tin oxide (ITO) glass substrate modified with thin polypyrrole film. By controlling the electrodeposition conditions, gold nanoparticles with dendritic rod, sheet, flower-like (consisting of staggered nanosheets), and pinecone-like structures were generated. The flower-like gold nanoparticles showed high catalytic activity on electrochemical reduction of oxygen, and its activity was measured to be approximately 25 times that of gold pinecones and 104 times that of gold nanosheets in terms of gold weight. The pinecone-like nanoparticles can form a compact film with nano-/microscale binary structure like a lotus leaf surface. After modification with n-dodecanethiol, the surface showed superhydrophobic properties with a water contact angle of 153.4° and a tilt angle of 4.4° (5 μL droplet).

Electrochemical growth of two-dimensional gold nanostructures on a thin polypyrrole film modified ITO electrode.

Two-dimensional palladium (Pd) nanostructures have been fabricated by electrochemical deposition of Pd onto an indium tin oxide glass substrate modified with a thin flat film of polypyrrole or a nanofibril film of polyaniline. The experimental results demonstrated that the morphology of Pd nanoparticles strongly depended on the properties of conducting polymers and the conditions of electrochemical deposition. Two-dimensional nanostructures composed of flower-like (consisting of staggered nanosheets) or pinecone-like Pd nanoparticles were successfully synthesized. They can be used as substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering after partly decomposing the polymer components by heating in air, and the enhancement factor of the substrate composed of flower-like Pd nanoparticles was measured to be as high as 105 for 4-mercaptopyridine.

Yin Li

Papers

Electrochemical growth of two-dimensional gold nanostructures on a thin polypyrrole film modified ITO electrode.

Electrochemical fabrication of two-dimensional palladium nanostructures as substrates for surface enhanced Raman scattering.