Scientists have now demonstrated that gold and silver nanostars are more effective than commonly used nanorods and nanospheres for chemical and biological sensing and imaging. They have used surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)for this purpose.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) researchers found that gold and silver nanostars improved the sensitivity of SERS 10 to 100,000 times that of other commonly used nanoparticles.
Tumor Cells can Be Killed With Nanoparticles and Light Combo
University of Virginia medical physicists have come up with a new idea to kill tumour cells with the help of nanoparticles and light.
Advertisement
The uniquely shaped nanoparticles exhibit optical qualities that enable them to be used in a range of applications from disease diagnostics to contraband identification.
SERS relies on metallic nanoparticles, usually gold and silver, to amplify signals from molecules present in only trace quantities.
In such experiments, scientists shine laser light on an aqueous solution containing the nanoparticles and the molecule of interest and monitor the scattered light.
![Nano Cargo Ships to Seek Out and Destroy Cancerous Tumours Created]( "Nano Cargo Ships to Seek Out and Destroy Cancerous Tumours Created")
American scientists, including an Indian-origin researcher, have created nanometre-sized 'cargo ships' that can sail throughout the body via the bloodstream, and ferry anti-cancer
The detailed characteristics of both the molecule and the nanoparticle affect the strength of scattered light, which contains an identifying fingerprint for the molecule known as its vibrational signature.
It is possible to detect a very low concentration of molecules in a solution, with nanoparticles amplifying the signature.
The researchers used two target molecules, 2-mercaptopyridine and crystal violet for testing optical properties of the nanostars
It was found that the Raman signal of 2-mercaptopyridine was 100,000 stronger when nanostars were present in the solution.
Also, the stars were found to be particularly capable of enhancing the signature of crystal violet, delivering a signal about 10 times stronger than the previous winner, nanorods. Both the nanostars and the nanorods outperformed the nanospheres commonly used for Raman enhancement.
Researchers led by NIST physicist Angela Hight Walker perfected the process for making gold nanostars, building them from the bottom-up using surface alterations to manipulate their growth and control their shape.
When suspended in a solution, the team guided the nanostars to gather together to form multiple "hot spots," where the enhancement is dramatically larger than for a single nanostar.
Hight Walker said that the nanostars can now be created en masse and have desirable optical properties, which may encourage researchers to examine their possible applications.
Source: ANI
RAS/SK
In such experiments, scientists shine laser light on an aqueous solution containing the nanoparticles and the molecule of interest and monitor the scattered light.
Nano Cargo Ships to Seek Out and Destroy Cancerous Tumours Created
American scientists, including an Indian-origin researcher, have created nanometre-sized 'cargo ships' that can sail throughout the body via the bloodstream, and ferry anti-cancer
Advertisement
The detailed characteristics of both the molecule and the nanoparticle affect the strength of scattered light, which contains an identifying fingerprint for the molecule known as its vibrational signature.
It is possible to detect a very low concentration of molecules in a solution, with nanoparticles amplifying the signature.
The researchers used two target molecules, 2-mercaptopyridine and crystal violet for testing optical properties of the nanostars
It was found that the Raman signal of 2-mercaptopyridine was 100,000 stronger when nanostars were present in the solution.
Also, the stars were found to be particularly capable of enhancing the signature of crystal violet, delivering a signal about 10 times stronger than the previous winner, nanorods. Both the nanostars and the nanorods outperformed the nanospheres commonly used for Raman enhancement.
Researchers led by NIST physicist Angela Hight Walker perfected the process for making gold nanostars, building them from the bottom-up using surface alterations to manipulate their growth and control their shape.
When suspended in a solution, the team guided the nanostars to gather together to form multiple "hot spots," where the enhancement is dramatically larger than for a single nanostar.
Hight Walker said that the nanostars can now be created en masse and have desirable optical properties, which may encourage researchers to examine their possible applications.
Source: ANI
RAS/SK
Study Says Nanoparticles may Help Fight Disease
American scientists have developed ultra-miniature bialy-shaped particles called nanobialys that may soon be carrying medicinal compounds through patients' bloodstreams to tumours
Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Latest Research News
The discovery deepens our understanding of m6A biology and stress granule formation, with implications for neurodegenerative diseases.
Trouble with sleep and the body's clock may increase your risk for Parkinson's, as per a new study.
New study uncovers a link between nocturnal hot flashes and Alzheimer's risk in menopausal women, suggesting a potential biomarker.
Our discovery revealed that a minority of individuals attributed their chronic pain to their brain's involvement.
Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport syndrome is overlooked by athletes and can be worsened by 'sports culture' due to its perceived short-term performance benefits.
