Plasmonic active film integrating gold/silver nanostructures for H2O2 readout

A nanostructured Ag/Au adhesive film for H2O2 reagentless determination is here proposed. The film has been realised onto ELISA polystyrene microplates. Microwells surface has been initially modified with a gold nano -particles (AuNPs)/polydopamine thin-film. The pristine AuNPs-decorated film was later functionalized with catechin (Au-CT) allowing a uniform formation of a plasmonic active nanostructured silver network in presence of Ag+. Changes in localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of the silver network upon addition of H2O2 has been used as analytical signal, taking advantage of the etching phenomenon. The Ag/Au nanocomposite-film is characterized by a well-defined (LSPRmax = 405 +/- 5 nm), reproducible (intraplate RSD < 9.8%, n = 96; inter -plate RSD <= 11.4%, n = 480) and stable LSPR signal. The film's analytical features have been tested for H2O2 and glucose (bio)sensing. Satisfactory analytical performances were obtained both for H2O2 (linear range 1-200 mu M, R-2 = 0.9992, RSD <= 6.3%, LOD = 0.2 mu M) and glucose (linear range 2-250 mu M, R-2 = 0.9998, RSD <= 8.9%, LOD = 0.4 mu M). As proof of applicability, the determination of the two analytes in soft drinks has been carried out achieving good and reproducible recoveries (84-111%; RSD < 9%). The developed nanostructured film overcomes analytical drawbacks associated with the use of colloidal dispersions in plasmonic assays carried out in solution; the low cost, robustness, ease of use and possibility of coupling enzymatic reactions appears very promising for (bio)sensors based on the detection of H2O2.

Automated summary

A novel nanostructured Ag/Au adhesive film has been developed for reagentless determination of H2O2, showing promising analytical performances for both H2O2 and glucose sensing. The film overcomes analytical drawbacks associated with colloidal dispersions in plasmonic assays and offers a low-cost, robust, and easy-to-use alternative for sensors based on H2O2 detection.