Metallic nanoparticles as effective sensors of bio-molecules

This work describes biologically important nanostructures of metals (AgNPs, AuNPs, and PtNPs) and metal oxides (Cu2ONPs, CuONSs, gamma-Fe2O3NPs, ZnONPs, ZnONPs-GS, anatase-TiO2NPs, and rutile-TiO2NPs) synthesized by different methods (wet-chemical, electrochemical, and green-chemistry methods). The nanostructures were characterized by molecular spectroscopic methods, including scanning/transmission electron microscopy (SEM/ TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Raman scattering spectroscopy (RS), and infrared light spectroscopy (IR). Then, a peptide (bombesin, BN) was adsorbed onto the surface of these nanostructures from an aqueous solution with pH of 7 that did not contain surfactants. Adsorption was monitored using surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (SERS) to determine the influence of the nature of the metal surface and surface evolution on peptide geometry. Information from the SERS studies was compared with information on the biological activity of the peptide. The SERS enhancement factor was determined for each of the metallic surfaces.

Automated summary

This work discusses the synthesis and characterization of biologically important nanostructures of metals (AgNPs, AuNPs, and PtNPs) and metal oxides (Cu2ONPs, CuONSs, gamma-Fe2O3NPs, ZnONPs, ZnONPs-GS, anatase-TiO2NPs, and rutile-TiO2NPs). The adsorption of a peptide (bombesin, BN) onto these nanostructures and its influence on peptide geometry and biological activity were studied using surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (SERS). The SERS enhancement factor was determined for each metallic surface.