Detection and Discrimination of Bioanalytes by Means of Colorimetric Sensor Array Based on Unmodified Gold and Silver Nanoparticles

A new approach for sensing bioanalytes utilizing unmodified noble metal nanoparticles to fabricate a colorimetric sensor array is described. In this array, a series of gold and silver nanoparticles with various sizes whose color change based on the interactions of bioanalytes and nanoparticles, provide the unique response patterns for bioanalytes such as protein and bacteria which can be distinguished by naked eye. This work indicates that the colorimetric sensor array based on unmodified gold and silver nanoparticles has the potential for application in medical diagnostics.