Influence of gold nanoparticle size (2-50 nm) upon its electrochemical behavior: an electrochemical impedance spectroscopic and voltammetric study

The electrochemical behavior of different size gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was investigated. AuNPs with 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 50 nm diameters were immobilized onto a screen printed carbon electrode surface by physical adsorption. The impedimetric response was measured for different diameter AuNPs at a fixed value of their surface area, at the same content of gold (Au) and at the same concentration. In a further experiment, the impedimetric response toward AuNP concentration was measured for each diameter. Impedimetric results were compared with results obtained for the detection of Au by stripping voltammetry. Additionally, variability of active surface area and roughness of different electrodes before and after immobilization of AuNPs were carefully evaluated by means of cyclic voltammetry and laser scanning microscopy. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a sensitive technique capable of differentiating the signal generated by AuNPs of different sizes, thus providing useful information for the employment of AuNPs in electrochemical biosensors.