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Synthesis, Optical Properties, and Sensing Applications of Gold Nanodots
Author(s) -
Ravindranath Rini,
Roy Prathik,
Chang HuanTsung
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the chemical record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.61
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1528-0691
pISSN - 1527-8999
DOI - 10.1002/tcr.201600014
Subject(s) - nanodot , photoluminescence , nanotechnology , nanomaterials , materials science , etching (microfabrication) , nanoparticle , quenching (fluorescence) , metal ions in aqueous solution , metal , optoelectronics , fluorescence , layer (electronics) , optics , physics , metallurgy
In this Personal Account, we briefly address our journey in developing photoluminescent nanomaterials for sensing purposes, with a focus on gold nanodots (Au NDs). Their synthetic strategies, optical properties, and sensing applications are emphasized. The Au NDs can be simply prepared from the etching of small‐sized Au nanoparticles (<3 nm in diameter) by thiol compounds such as 11‐mercaptoundecanoic acid under alkaline conditions. This simple approach allows the preparation of various functional Au NDs by choosing different thiol compounds as etching agents. Since the optical properties of Au NDs are highly dependent on the core and shell of each Au ND, the selection of etching reagents is important. Over the years we have developed various sensing systems using Au NDs for the detection of metal ions, anions, and proteins, based on analyte‐induced photoluminescence quenching/enhancement of Au NDs as a result of changes in their oxidation state, shell composition, and structure.