Hybrid Nanocomposites of Plasmonic Metal Nanostructures and 2D Nanomaterials for Improved Colorimetric Detection

Abstract

Plasmonic phenomena and materials have been extensively investigated for a long time and gained popularity in the last few years, finding in the design of the biosensors platforms promising applications offering devices with excellent performances. Hybrid systems composed of graphene, or other 2D materials, and plasmonic metal nanostructures present extraordinary optical properties originated from the synergic connection between plasmonic optical effects and the unusual physicochemical properties of 2D materials, thus improving their application in a broad range of fields. In this work, firstly, an overview of the structures and properties of 2D nanomaterials will be provided along with the physics of surface plasmon resonance and localized surface plasmon resonance. In the second part of the work, some examples of colorimetric biosensors exploiting the outstanding properties of hybrids nanocomposites will be presented. Finally, concluding perspectives on the actual status, challenges, and future directions in plasmonic sensing biosensing will be provided. Special emphasis will be given to how this technology can be used to support digitalization and virtualization in pandemic handling.

Recent Progresses in Plasmonic Biosensors for Point-of-Care (POC) Devices: A Critical Review

“…In colorimetric analysis, the event of detection is converted into a colour change, so it is characterized by simplicity, low cost, practicality and the lack of the requirement for bulky and sophisticated instruments because the colour change is revealed by the naked eye. Its intrinsic advantages make it appealing to integrate colorimetric assays into POC devices, and the development of new materials along with new colorimetric strategies has focused enormous efforts in recent years [15].…”

Photonics and Plasmonics: New Challenges for Optical Nanostructured Materials in Sensing

“…In the work of Serafinelli et al [2] the authors provide an overview of 2D nanomaterials and their properties. They also present the physical explanation of the typical phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance and localized surface plasmon resonance.…”