Nanoparticles can be used as sensors to detect the presence of molecules that come into contact with the nanoparticle surface. When the particle surface is functionalized with a targeting ligand, molecules can be recognized and captured, resulting in a shift in the optical spectra of plasmonic nanoparticles, referred to as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy. In addition to SPR-based sensors, nanoparticles can be used in other sensor formats where environmental changes induce a response in the particle electrochemical, mechanical, or conductivity properties that can be detected and quantified.
Plasmonic nanoparticles have a color that is a function of their material composition, size, shape and surface chemistry. To function as a sensor, binding events or changes in the environment induce a measurable shift in the optical properties of the particle. Very small quantities of analytes can be detected through the use of certain particle shapes and patterned films. Other sensor detection methods rely on the aggregation of plasmonic nanoparticles in solution, or changes in the size or shape of nanoparticles in response to the environment that gives rise to a change in their optical properties. Silver nanocubes on a metal substrate are extremely sensitivity to molecules at the cube/surface interface.
NanoComposix has a comprehensive library of plasmonic nanoparticles that can be utilized for SPR spectroscopy and other plasmonic-based sensing. Gold nanorods, silver nanoplates, gold nanoshells, and silver cubes have spectral features that shift when there is a change to the environment around the particle. Biofunctionalized particles in solution can be tailored so that in the presence of an analyte, the particles will bind and the solution color will shift. Materials such as silver nanoplates can be purposefully formulated to slowly etch in water and can be integrated into sensors that can measure humidity changes or provide guidance on when bandages needs to be exchanged. We also support applications in electrochemical sensing and conductivity modulation through control over the size, shape and surface chemistry of nanoparticles.
Product Line | Description | Available Materials | Available Surfaces | CV | Concentration | Available Dried | Buy | nanoComposix University |
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Guaranteed low endotoxin | Gold, silver, platinum, magnetite | Multiple | < 18% | 1 mg/mL | No | See products | Learn more | |
For bioconjugation (lateral flow assays, etc.) | Gold | Multiple | < 15% | Varies; usually 20 OD | Yes | See products | Learn more | |
Widest combination of materials and surfaces | Gold, silver, silica, platinum, magnetite | Multiple | Varies; usually < 15% | Varies | Yes | See products | Learn more | |
Most monodisperse | Gold | PEG-carboxyl | < 5% | 0.05 mg/mL | No | See products | Learn more | |
Do none of these work for you? Request a Custom Nanomaterial | ||||||||
We also offer a variety of nanoparticle characterization services |
Surface | Charge | Characteristics | Available Materials | Buy | NCX University |
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Bare (Citrate) | Easiest standard surface to displace with other molecules. | Gold, silver, platinum | See products | Learn more | |
Aminated (BPEI) | Covalently bound. Conjugatable surface. | Gold, silver | See products | Learn more | |
Carbonate | For biocojugation. Smaller, less complex molecule with a lower affinity to gold nanoparticle surface than citrate. | Gold | See products | Learn more | |
Carboxyl/Lipoic Acid | Covalently bound. Conjugatable surface. | Gold, silver | See products | Learn more | |
Dodecanethiol | Redispersible and stable in non-polar organic solvents. | Gold, silver | See products | Learn more | |
NHS | For quick and easy bioconjugation – no EDC/NHS activation required. | Gold | See products | ||
PEG | Highest stability in aqueous buffers and polar organic solvents. | Gold, silver | See products | Learn more | |
Polystyrene | Hydrophobic surface that allows for dispersion in a wide range of polar organic solvents. | Gold | See products | Learn more | |
PVP | Large polymer surface. Stable in a wide variety of solvents. | Gold, silver, magnetite | See products | Learn more | |
Silica Shell | Greatest solvent compatibility. Preserves plasmonic properties upon deposition. | Gold, silver, silica | See products | Learn more | |
Silica Shell (Aminated) | Conjugatable surface. Greatest solvent compatibility. Preserves plasmonic properties upon deposition. | Gold, silver, silica | See products | Learn more | |
Streptavidin | For convenient bioconjugation of any biotinylated antibody, protein, or oligonucleotide. | Gold | See products | ||
Tannic Acid | Less easily displaced than citrate but stable in more buffers. | Gold | See products | Learn more | |
Do none of these work for you? Request a Custom Surface |
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