Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are of high significance in sensing as they provide viable solutions to the enduring challenges related to lower detection limits and non-specific effects. The rapid expansion in the applications of MNPs creates a need to overview the current state of the field of MNPs for sensing applications. In this Review, the trends and concepts in the literature are critically appraised in terms of the opportunities and limitations of MNPs used for the most advanced sensing applications. The latest progress in MNP sensor technologies is overviewed with a focus on MNP structures and properties, as well as the strategies of incorporating these MNPs into devices. By looking at recent synthetic advancements, and the key challenges that face NP-based sensors, this Review aims to outline how to design, synthesize and use MNPs to make the most effective and sensitive sensors.

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Zero valent iron core–iron oxide shell nanoparticles coated with a multi-phosphonate brush co-polymer are shown to be small and effective magnetic nanoparticle imaging tracers.

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The versatile qualities of gold coated magnetic nanoparticles for both optical and electrochemical detection, as well as the separation of analytes, make them an excellent choice for ultrasensitive biosensing applications.

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Purpose This study attempts to investigate corrosion inhibition properties of 1H-benzimidazole (B) and 1H-benzotriazole (BTA) on aluminum in 0.25 M HCl solution at different concentrations. Design/methodology/approach To this end, electrochemical techniques including electrochemical noise (EN), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization were used. Findings Results showed a greater corrosion inhibition efficiency of BTA than B on aluminum in HCl solution. BTA showed greater tendency to adsorption on the metal surface than B because of the inclusion of three nitrogen atoms. Originality/value The novelty of this work is comparing EN data with EIS and potentiodynamic polarization parameters.

Gold‐coated magnetic nanoparticles are key materials for the fast separation and ultrasensitive detection of analytes in magnetoplasmonic sensors. However, the synthesis of gold‐coated magnetic nanoparticles typically requires small‐scale, colloidal methods over hours or days and often results in incomplete shells with variable optical properties. A robust, rapid, and scalable synthesis method is still needed to reliably form a complete gold nanoshell around magnetic nanoparticles. Herein, a new methodology for the synthesis of gold‐coated magnetic nanoparticles via a flow‐based manufacturing system that can easily be scaled up is presented. The developed method first produces gold‐seeded silica coated magnetic nanoparticles and then a complete, tunable gold shell with relatively uniform size and shape. The flow‐based method can be performed in a total time of less than 2 min, enabling rapid and complete gold coating. The particles show both excellent magnetic and plasmonic properties, which facilitates application as biosensing agents in dark‐field microscopy and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering.