Characterization of Hidden Tag Molecules for SERS Spectroscopy Using Gold Core-Silver Shell Nanoparticles.
Faculty Sponsor(s)
Brian Gilbert
Location
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
Subject Area
Chemistry
Description
Applications of nanotechnology are quickly transforming research in a wide array of disciplines, from industrial and agricultural, to environmental and biomedical sciences. Altering the surface ligands of gold nanoparticle cores allows for a wide range of functionality in biomedicine, from means of targeted, cell-specific drug delivery, to use as molecule-specific biosensors. Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) can be used to accurately detect specific molecules based off molecular vibrations and functional groups, but there are very few known SERS tag molecules that are easy to synthesize and provide sufficient signal enhancement, while remaining stable enough for cellular uptake. Here, we investigate the potential use of 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and aminocinnamic acid (ACA) as SERS tag molecules, embedded between spherical gold nanoparticle cores and a silver shell. Gold nanoparticle cores were tagged with either DAPI or ACA, selected for their already established SERS peaks, then coated with silver and characterized using a NanoSight LM10 particle sizer, UV Vis Spectroscopy, and SERS spectroscopy. While DAPI caused uncontrollable aggregation and was deemed an unlikely candidate for further testing, ACA exhibits great potential for use as an embedded tag molecule.
Recommended Citation
Wood, Victoria J. and Gilbert, Brian, "Characterization of Hidden Tag Molecules for SERS Spectroscopy Using Gold Core-Silver Shell Nanoparticles." (2017). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 32.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2017/all/32
Characterization of Hidden Tag Molecules for SERS Spectroscopy Using Gold Core-Silver Shell Nanoparticles.
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
Applications of nanotechnology are quickly transforming research in a wide array of disciplines, from industrial and agricultural, to environmental and biomedical sciences. Altering the surface ligands of gold nanoparticle cores allows for a wide range of functionality in biomedicine, from means of targeted, cell-specific drug delivery, to use as molecule-specific biosensors. Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) can be used to accurately detect specific molecules based off molecular vibrations and functional groups, but there are very few known SERS tag molecules that are easy to synthesize and provide sufficient signal enhancement, while remaining stable enough for cellular uptake. Here, we investigate the potential use of 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and aminocinnamic acid (ACA) as SERS tag molecules, embedded between spherical gold nanoparticle cores and a silver shell. Gold nanoparticle cores were tagged with either DAPI or ACA, selected for their already established SERS peaks, then coated with silver and characterized using a NanoSight LM10 particle sizer, UV Vis Spectroscopy, and SERS spectroscopy. While DAPI caused uncontrollable aggregation and was deemed an unlikely candidate for further testing, ACA exhibits great potential for use as an embedded tag molecule.
