Gold and Silver Nanoparticles as Biosensors: Characterization of Surface and Changes in the Adsorption of Leucine Dipeptide under the Influence of Substituent Changes

Abstract

Early detection of diseases can increase the chances of successful treatment and survival. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a method for detecting or sensing biomolecules that cause trouble in living organisms. Disease sensors should possess specific properties, such as selectivity, reproducibility, stability, sensitivity, and morphology, for their routine application in medical diagnosis and treatment. This work focuses on biosensors in the form of surface-functionalized gold (AuNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) prepared using a less-time-consuming, inexpensive, and efficient synthesis route. This allows for the production of highly pure and stable (non-aggregating without stabilizers) nanoparticles with a well-defined spherical shape, a desired diameter, and a monodisperse distribution in an aqueous environment, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Thus, these nanoparticles can be used routinely as biomarker sensors and drug-delivery platforms for precision medicine treatment. The NPs’ surface was coated with phosphonate dipeptides of L-leucine (Leu; l-Leu–C(R1)(R2)PO3H2), and their adsorption was monitored using SERS. Reproducible spectra were analyzed to determine the orientation of the dipeptides (coating layers) on the nanoparticles’ surface. The appropriate R2 side chain of the dipeptide can be selected to control the arrangement of these dipeptides. This allows for the proper formation of a layer covering the nanoparticles while also simultaneously interacting with the surrounding biological environment, such as cells, tissues, and biological fluids.