Inkjet-Printed Gold Nanoparticle Surfaces for the Detection of Low Molecular Weight Biomolecules by Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Abstract. Effective detection of low molecular weight compounds in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) is often hindered by matrix interferences in the low m/z region of the mass spectrum. Here, we show that monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can serve as alternate matrices for the very sensitive detection of low molecular weight compounds such as amino acids. Amino acids can be detected at low fmol levels with minimal interferences by properly choosing the AuNP deposition method, density, size, and monolayer surface chemistry. By inkjet-printing AuNPs at various densities, we find that AuNP clusters are essential for obtaining the greatest sensitivity.

Photothermal effect of gold nanostar patterns inkjet-printed on coated paper substrates with different permeability

“…Inks based on metal nanoparticles are widely used in inkjet printing because of their conductive and thermal properties [1,8]. Within the existing types of metal nanoparticles, the beneficial properties of gold, such as good biocompatibility, excellent resistance to oxidation and acids, and high affinity to thiol containing biomolecules promote the applicability of gold nanoparticles in nanomedicine [8–12], and in the fabrication of a broad spectrum of printed diagnostic and analytical tools [13–15]. Gold nanoparticles have also large extinction cross-sections in the range of 700–1100 nm (known as the bio-transparent window) because of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR).…”

A layer-by-layer assembled MoS2 thin film as an efficient platform for laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry analysis of small molecules

“…S5). The limit of detection (LOD) of histidine with MoS nanoflakes is slightly higher than that with Au NPs (25 fmol) 11 but lower than multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT, 1 pmol). 30 The LOD of steric acid with MoS 2 nanoflakes is also lower than that with graphene (11 pmol) and graphene oxide (GO, 3 pmol).…”

“…Many of the promising systems use metal 6 /semiconductor nanoparticles (NPs) 7 and carbon nanomaterials. 8 Use of these nanomaterials overcomes low m/z interferences, but there are several issues that complicate their widespread use, such as the colloidal stability in biological media, 9,10 formation of ‘sweet spots’ by the coffee ring effect 11 and laser-induced decomposition that can lead to the contamination of the mass spectrometer. 12 In this regard, chip-based LDI-MS platforms provide an important alternative to colloidal nanomaterials, with nanostructured silicon, 13 titanium dioxide, 14 layer-by-layer (LBL) assembled films of NPs 15,16 and carbon nanomaterials 17,18 investigated as LDI-MS platforms.…”

Mechanisms of Nanophase-Induced Desorption in LDI-MS. A Short Review

“…In fact, such coatings can facilitate energy dissipation, thus promoting “softer” ionization [61,79,84,85], or can assist analyte ionization when a conventional matrix is covalently attached to NP surface [35,93]. Moreover, specific modification of NPs can lead to enrichment and selective detection [94,95,96,97,98], as in the case of aptamer-modified gold nanofilms applied to the analysis of circulating tumor cells [99]. Nonetheless, it is worth mentioning that a general consensus was reached on the preferential use of “bare” nanostructures as compared to “stabilized” ones in LDI applications [58,100,101,102].…”