Zirconia-Based Magnetoplasmonic Nanocomposites: A New Nanotool for Magnetic-Guided Separations with SERS Identification

Abstract

In the field of nanomaterials, multifunctional nanosystems play a prominent role in many applications as new magnetically recoverable catalysts, information processing, fuel cells, efficient bio/nanosensors, and nanomedicine. Aiming at the obtainment of new nanomaterials for biotechnological applications such as biosensors or theragnostic systems, we present a multifunctional system able to merge different properties in only one nanotool. The system is prepared by loading the pores of mesoporous zirconia nanoparticles with CoFe 2 O 4 , by a wet impregnation method, further modifying the surface of the material with bis(phosphonic acid) to load gold nanoparticles, produced by laser ablation. The obtained nanocomposite functionalized with a SERS probe represents a specific example of a magnetoplasmonic nanosystem. The results show the efficacy of the strategy of exploiting mesoporous zirconia nanoparticles for obtaining magnetoplasmonic nanotools.

Nanoparticles Engineering by Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquids: Concepts and Applications

“…NPs are synthesized without stabilizing molecules, in order to avoid any associated biocompatibility problem. Furthermore, the naked surface of these NPs can be easily functionalized, for example with molecules for active cell targeting [ 171 , 172 , 173 ], for sensing and diagnosis [ 174 , 175 , 176 ], for drug monitoring [ 177 ] and also for therapies, as in the case of photothermal therapy [ 171 , 175 ]. Using multiple functionalizations, theranostic nanosystems, namely nanosystems useful for both therapy and diagnosis, can also be obtained.…”

Modification of Amorphous Mesoporous Zirconia Nanoparticles with Bisphosphonic Acids: A Straightforward Approach for Tailoring the Surface Properties of the Nanoparticles

“…It is worth to note that in order to obtain amorphous ZrNPs with a large surface area, while preserving the porosity, the surfactant was removed at 120 °C in a vacuum extraction process rather than by calcination. The nanoparticles obtained by this method are monodispersed amorphous products characterized by average mean diameter of 200±50 nm, superficial area of 187 m 2 /g and pore diameter distribution of 5.1±1.5 nm [34] . The isotherms display the type IV profile with a H1 hysteresis loop (according to the IUPAC classification), [35] which is typical for mesoporous materials.…”

Application of Novel Plasmonic Nanomaterials on SERS

“…The SERS spectrum displayed in Figure 8e corresponds to this recorded after magnetic attraction and re-dispersed in water. The last SERS spectrum shown in Figure 8f corresponds to this recorded with the starting solution (mixture of two types of NPs) after magnetic attraction, where it only remained that the red Raman peaks corresponding to non-magnetic plasmonic nanoparticles, and also with a small remaining SERS signal (in green) corresponding to MG-functionalized magnetoplasmonic nanoparticles [101].…”