Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Preparation of Nanoparticles for ToF-SIMS and XPS Analysis
Published on: September 13, 2020
Silica diatom shells tailored with Au nanoparticles enable sensitive analysis of molecules for biological, safety and
V Onesto1, M Villani2, M L Coluccio1
1Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Magna Graecia, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
Abstract:
Diatom shells are a natural, theoretically unlimited material composed of silicon dioxide, with regular patterns of pores penetrating through their surface. For their characteristics, diatom shells show promise to be used as low cost, highly efficient drug carriers, sensor devices or other micro-devices. Here, we demonstrate diatom shells functionalized with gold nanoparticles for the harvesting and detection of biological analytes (bovine serum albumin-BSA) and chemical pollutants (mineral oil) in low abundance ranges, for applications in bioengineering, medicine, safety, and pollution monitoring.
Related Concept Videos
Applications Of NMR In Biology
Survey Safety
What is Conservation Biology?
Biological Effects of Radiation
Household Wiring And Electrical Safety
Molecules and Compounds

