Sensitivity improved plasmonic gold nanoholes array biosensor by coupling quantum-dots for the detection of specific...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) biosensors offer high sensitivity for biomolecular detection.
• Gold nanostructures are widely used for SPR-based sensing applications.
• Efficient immobilization and reduced non-specific binding are crucial for biosensor performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a large-scale fabrication method for gold nanoholes arrays supporting SPR.
• To utilize these arrays as a high-performance biosensor for streptavidin-biotin interactions.
• To investigate methods for enhancing biosensor sensitivity, including the use of quantum dots (QDs).

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of gold nanoholes arrays using nanosphere lithography (NSL).
• Functionalization of gold surfaces with MPTS and APTES for biotin immobilization.
• Monitoring SPR peak shifts using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy.
• Application of BSA for blocking non-specific adsorption.
• Coupling with CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) to enhance sensitivity.

Main Results:

• Successful large-scale fabrication of gold nanoholes arrays capable of SPR.
• Demonstrated an 11 nm SPR peak shift upon streptavidin-biotin binding.
• BSA treatment effectively reduced non-specific adsorption.
• Coupling with QDs resulted in a four-fold increase in detection sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• The developed gold nanoholes array biosensor provides a sensitive platform for detecting biomolecular interactions.
• Functionalization and QD coupling strategies significantly enhance detection capabilities.
• This approach offers potential for highly sensitive measurements in biomolecular binding assays.