Description

Developing effective analytical tools for the detection of biochemical analytes is extremely important in all aspects of healthcare and environmental monitoring. In the light of current health awareness, there is an upsurge progress in the field of biomedical sensors. Still, significant challenges remain in the fabrication of cost effective, miniaturized and clinically relevant devices for real-time applications. Rapid developments in material science, especially nanotechnology pave way for novel class of sensors with added advantages. The versatility of nano-scale materials makes them potential candidates for the development of biosensors. Different nanomaterials such as metal oxide nanoparticles, semiconductor nanoparticles, noble metal nanoparticles and their polymer composites are intensively investigated for sensing applications. Notably, noble metal nanoparticles are exceptional among its counterparts due to their unique optical properties and biocompatibility.

Noble metal nanoparticles, especially gold and silver play a significant role in the development of biosensors. In addition to their unique optical properties, excellent biocompatibility, conductivity, catalytic effects, high surface-to-volume ratio and high density facilitate their use in the fabrication of biochemical sensors. The optical properties of metal nanoparticles such as localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) are active research areas in ultrasensitive biosensors. LSPR wavelength of gold and silver nanoparticles falls in the visible region making them suitable materials for optical sensing applications.