Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2025
03:33
Author Spotlight: Development and Application of SERS Flexible Substrates Using Synthesized AgNPs
Published on: November 17, 2023
2.5K
Chitosan Micro-Membranes with Integrated Gold Nanoparticles as an LSPR-Based Sensing Platform
Diana I Meira1,2, Manuela Proença1, Rita Rebelo2,3
1Physics Center of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal.
Biosensors
|November 10, 2022
Summary
This study developed stable chitosan/gold nanoparticle membranes for sensitive plasmonic sensing. These flexible biosensors show promise for detecting minute refractive index changes in liquids and gases.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Growing demand for sensitive, biocompatible, and stable plasmonic sensors for biological applications.
- Chitosan offers biocompatibility and flexibility, while gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) provide plasmonic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize chitosan/Au NPs membranes as versatile plasmonic platforms for molecular sensing.
- To investigate the optical response and refractive index sensing capabilities of these membranes.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of chitosan/Au NPs membranes using spin coating.
- Characterization of optical properties using high-resolution localized surface plasmon resonance (HR-LSPR) spectroscopy.
- Testing sensitivity to refractive index changes in liquid and gas media.
Main Results:
- The 0.5% chitosan/Au NPs membrane exhibited the most suitable plasmonic response.
- Sensitivity of 28 ± 1 nm/RIU was achieved for refractive index sensing.
- The membranes successfully distinguished between inert gases with a 10⁻⁵ RI unit difference.
Conclusions:
- Chitosan/Au NPs membranes are promising, stable platforms for LSPR-based sensing.
- The developed membranes demonstrate potential for biosensing applications.
- Further optimization is needed to enhance sensor sensitivity.
