Assembly of silica nanoparticles for two-dimensional nanomaterials

To realize the great potential of nanoparticles as new materials for biomedical applications, the nanoparticles will have to be assembled in such a way that the newly created assembly will have unique properties that conventional materials do not possess. This will enable nanomaterials to be used for many novel applications. We have attempted to assemble silica nanoparticles to create a two-dimensional nanomaterial, which might be useful for biosensor and biochip production. The silica nanoparticles are synthesized and assembled in a monolayer fashion through the use of halogenated silanes. Photolithography techniques are used to pattern the glass surface prior to nanoparticle attachment. The concentration of the silica nanoparticles in the solution controls the surface coverage of nanoparticles on the glass surface. Different patterned silica arrays can be made with controlled surface coverage. The nanoparticle-covered surface is successfully tested for surface-enhanced enzymatic reactivity for the detection of a neurotransmitter, glutamate. This report demonstrates the feasibility of assembling nanoparticles for biosensor development.