Dual-mode immunoassay based on shape code and infrared absorption fingerprint signals of silica nanorods

Silica nanorods were synthesized through a simple one-pot emulsion-droplet-based growth method, in which tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) was used as the silica source, ammonia as the catalyst, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the structure-directing agent and stabilizer. By controlling hydrolysis and condensation in the reaction process, we regulated the aspect ratios and the infrared (IR) absorption fingerprint signals (the transverse optical and the longitudinal optical phonon modes) of the silica nanorods. Based on this, a dual-mode immunoassay was performed for detecting model target analyte, human IgG. The shape code of the silica nanorods was used for simple, rapid qualitative, and sensitive semi-quantitative immunoassay by using a conventional optical microscope. The characteristic IR absorption fingerprint signals of the silica nanorods allowed for reliable quantitative immunoassay with good selectivity and high specificity. The detection limit and the linear range were found out to be 0.5 pM and 1 pM-10 nM, respectively. We expect that such dual-mode immunoassay could be applied for the detection of other analytes, such as protein, nucleic acids, bacteria, viruses, explosives, toxins, and so on. Graphical abstract A simple dual-mode immunoassay was performed using the shape code and infrared absorption fingerprint signals of silica nanorods as detection signals.