Nanocomposites, methods of making same, and applications of same for multicolor surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) detections
Inventors
Biris, Alexandru S. • Nima, Zeid • Xu, Yang
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12099059-B2
Publication Date
2024-09-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of making at least one nanocomposite for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) detection of a target of interest includes forming at least one gold nanorod; coating a silver layer on an outer surface of the gold nanorod; assembling a Raman reporter molecule layer on the coated silver layer, wherein the Raman reporter molecule layer comprises Raman reporter molecules that are detectable by the SERS; coating a thiolated polyethylene glycol (PEG) layer on the assembled Raman reporter molecule layer; and conjugating the coated thiolated PEG layer with molecules of an antibody to make the at least one nanocomposite.
Core Innovation
The disclosure describes a nanocomposite for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) detection of a target of interest. The nanocomposite is built from a gold nanorod having an outer surface coated with a silver layer, and a Raman reporter molecule layer assembled on the coated silver layer, wherein the Raman reporter molecule layer comprises Raman reporter molecules detectable by the SERS.
The nanocomposite further includes a thiolated polyethylene glycol (PEG) layer coated on the assembled Raman reporter molecule layer. The coated thiolated PEG layer is conjugated with molecules of an antibody to make the nanocomposite. The resulting construct is positioned for detecting a target of interest using SERS.
The disclosure further specifies a fabrication approach for forming the gold nanorods and coating the silver layer. The method includes forming gold nanorods, coating the gold nanorods with a silver layer, assembling the Raman reporter molecule layer on the silver layer, coating with thiolated PEG, and conjugating with antibodies for targeted SERS detection.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is directed to a method of making at least one SERS nanocomposite that combines gold nanorods, a silver layer, a Raman reporter molecule layer, thiolated PEG, and antibody conjugation. The claim includes multiple inventive features that collectively define the nanocomposite architecture and the way it is made.
Gold nanorod with silver-coated outer surface
forming at least one gold nanorod and coating a silver layer on an outer surface of the gold nanorod
SERS-detectable Raman reporter molecule layer on silver
assembling a Raman reporter molecule layer on the coated silver layer, wherein the Raman reporter molecule layer comprises Raman reporter molecules that are detectable by the SERS
Thiolated PEG layer on Raman reporter layer
coating a thiolated polyethylene glycol (PEG) layer on the assembled Raman reporter molecule layer
Antibody conjugation via the coated thiolated PEG layer
conjugating the coated thiolated PEG layer with molecules of an antibody to make the at least one nanocomposite
Gold nanorod formation using CTAB, HAuCl4, ascorbic acid, and seed solution
forming the at least one gold nanorod by mixing a CTAB solution with silver nitrate, adding HAuCl4, adding ascorbic acid, adding a seed solution, and centrifuging to form a precipitate comprising the gold nanorod, wherein the seed solution is prepared by mixing CTAB with HAuCl4, adding NaBH4, and stirring
Silver layer coating via pH-elevated silver ion reduction on AuNRs
coating the silver layer by dispersing the gold nanorod in a CTAB solution, adding PVP and AgNO3 and gently mixing, adding ascorbic acid, adding NaOH to elevate pH to about pH 9 to initiate a silver ion reduction reaction, and centrifuging to form a precipitate comprising the gold nanorod coated with the silver layer
Across the independent claim, the core coverage combines the nanocomposite elements (gold nanorod, silver layer, SERS-detectable Raman reporter molecule layer, thiolated PEG layer, and antibody-conjugated surface) together with specified components for forming the gold nanorods and for initiating silver ion reduction by elevating the pH to about pH 9.
Stated Advantages
Multi-color peak separation with distinct Raman bands is described as an advantage supported by the experimental support.
The disclosure reports Raman enhancement (e.g., about 129×) with the AuNR/Ag structure.
Selective targeting of MCF-7 cancer cells among fibroblasts is described in the cell-based validation.
Detection in spiked blood/white blood cell mixtures with fast acquisition and minimal signal from controls is described.
Documented Applications
SERS detection of a target of interest including detection of tumor cells (e.g., MCF-7 breast cancer cells among fibroblasts).
SERS detection of pathogens is described as a target type for the nanocomposite.
Detection in spiked blood and white blood cell mixtures is described.
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