Using solution-phase nanoparticles, surface-confined nanoparticle arrays and single nanoparticles as biological sensing platforms

The intense colors of noble metal nanoparticles have inspired artists and fascinated scientists for hundreds of years. In this review, we describe three sensing platforms based on the tunability of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of gold and silver nanoparticles. Specifically, the color associated with solution-phase nanoparticles, surface-confined nanoparticle arrays, and single nanoparticles will be shown to be tunable and useful as platforms for biological sensing.