Solution phase silver nanostructures for ehanced localized surface plasmonic sensing

Abstract

A detailed study of the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonances (LSPR) of a range of solution phase silver nanostructure sols and their refractive index sensitivity is presented. This work focuses on developing a thorough understanding of the fundamental nanostructure parameters necessary for the optimization of such nanostructure sols for highly sensitive, efficient biosensing applications. Solution phase nanosensors such as these are recognized as having excellent potential for such applications as they exist homogeneously in phase with the biological target molecule of interest. Solution phase sensing hence decreases the need for elaborate and intricate sample preparation making them highly suitable for current assay reading technologies.