Plasmonic Hydrogel Nanocomposites with Combined Optical and Mechanical Properties for Biochemical Sensing

Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and metal-enhanced-fluorescence (MEF)-based optical biosensors exhibit unique properties compared to other sensing devices that can be exploited for the design point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tools [1]. Plasmonic exploit capability of noble-metal nanoparticles absorbing light at a well-defined wavelength. The increasing request wearable, flexible easy-to-use has brought development plasmonic nanocomposites, whose peculiar performances arise from combination mechanical polymeric matrix in which they are embedded [2,3]. An platform based on spherical gold (AuNPs) high molecular weight poly-(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel is proposed. PEGDA represents biocompatible, flexible, transparent network 3D, detection targets with different weights early diagnosis disease. swelling directly correlated decoupling AuNPs within matrix. A study effect response PEGDA/AuNPs composites was investigated by using biorecognition layer/target model system. Specifically, after situ chemical modification hydrogel, interaction biotin-streptavidin monitored 3D network. Additionally, metal-enhanced fluorescence observed achieve an ultra-low limit detection. LSPR signal via transmission mode customized setup MEF detected confocal microscopes. Label-free (LSPR-based) (MEF-based) signals target analyte were successfully relatively resolutions low limits standard platforms available literature. optimized could represent highly reproducible low-cost novel biosensor applied as POC tool healthcare food monitoring applications.