Nanoscale Building Blocks for Sensing

拟议的研究计划针对纳米级构建块(NBB)的合成、表征和应用，包括对生物和环境重要分子的检测。纳米尺度涵盖了数亿到数百万个原子排列成往往具有独特性质的结构的范围。我们在定义明确的NBB中的工作使我们能够控制纳米级的属性，并探索它们在传感直接影响方面的应用。在纳米尺度上控制物质提供了在块状材料中无法获得的新型材料的实现，以及功能特性的尺寸和形状相关性，从而使它们能够方便地进行调节。我们的研究涉及不同材料的NBB，例如聚合物、半导体、金属氧化物和等离子体金属纳米颗粒(PMNPs)，因为它们具有优势性质，例如跨越整个可见光和近红外的可调光相互作用。在我们最近的工作中，银和金在复合NBB中的使用使我们能够利用PMNPs的最佳组合，从而具有优越的光学性能和稳定性。建立了基于十面体和五角棒两种尺寸可控NBB的传感平台，并进行了验证。今年展示了用金属氧化物(如铁、锰、铱、钼)包裹PMNPs，极大地提高了传感选择性，从而为不同应用设计功能性NBB提供了机会。总体而言，在过去6年中，我们继续展示了在功能应用(特别是原型传感)的合成控制(NBB)方面经过验证的研究记录。NBBS的两个主要传感应用是表面增强拉曼光谱(SERS)和表面等离子体共振(SPR)。SERS提供对爆炸物和毒品等化学物质的灵敏便携式检测。SPR能够检测选择性结合，例如生物相关化合物的结合。原型表面等离子体共振传感纳摩尔量的分子，如谷胱甘肽和氨苄西林已被证明。在拟议的研究计划的更广泛的愿景中，还将积极探索金属氧化物NBB的环境修复和光电化学应用。在我们实验室工作的学生和博士后研究员接受了关于NBB的最新合成和先进的纳米级表征的培训。所提出的研究计划的新颖性和预期意义在于创造了具有可调功能性质的新的NBB，并实现了它们在SPR和SERS中的实际应用。NBBS的商业化被开发出来(Science Inc.，NanScale BLOCKS Inc.)SERS和SPR的传感衬底是下一个开发里程碑(与Nicoya Inc.合作)。开发用于检测临床和环境相关分子的新型灵敏和选择性底物是拟议研究计划的一个更广泛的目标，以给加拿大带来切实的好处。

The proposed research program is directed at synthesis, characterization and applications of nanoscale building blocks (NBBs) including the detection of biologically and environmentally important molecules. Nanoscale covers the range where hundreds to millions of atoms are arranged into structures with often unique properties. Our work in well-defined NBBs enables control of nanoscale properties and explores their applications in sensing for the direct impact. Controlling matter on nanoscale offers realization of novel materials unattainable in bulk materials, as well as the size and shape dependence of functional properties that enables their convenient tuning. Our research involves NBBs of diverse materials, e.g. polymers, semiconductors, metal oxides, and plasmonic metal nanoparticles (PMNPs) as the primary focus due to their advantageous properties, such as tuneable light interactions spanning entire visible and near-IR. In our recent work, the use of silver and gold in composite NBBs enabled us to utilize the optimal combination of PMNPs advantageous optical properties and stability. A sensing platform based on two size-controlled NBBs: decahedra and pentagonal rods has been established and validated. Encapsulation of PMNPs with metal oxides (e.g. of iron, manganese, iridium, molybdenum), demonstrated this year, greatly improved sensing selectivity and thus opportunities in designing functional NBBs for diverse applications. Overall, during the last 6 years, we have continued to demonstrate a proven research record in synthetic control of (NBBs) for functional applications, specifically prototype sensing. Two main sensing applications of NBBs explored are SERS (surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy) and SPR (surface plasmon resonance). SERS offers sensitive portable detection of such chemicals, as explosives and narcotics. SPR is able to detect selective binding, e.g. of biologically relevant compounds. Prototype SPR sensing of nanomolar quantities of such molecules as glutathione and ampicillin has been demonstrated. In a broader vision of the proposed research program, environmental remediation with metal oxide NBBs and photoelectrochemical applications will be also actively explored. Students and postdoctoral fellows working in our laboratory are trained in the state of the art synthesis of NBBs and advanced nanoscale characterization. The novelty and expected significance of the proposed research program is in creation of new NBBs with tuneable functional properties; and in realization of their practical applications in SPR and SERS. Commercialization of NBBs is developed (Sciventions Inc., Nanoscale Blocks Inc.) with the sensing substrates for SERS and SPR being the next development milestone (in collaboration with Nicoya Inc.). Development of novel sensitive and selective substrates for sensing clinically and environmentally relevant molecules is a broader objective of the proposed research program to bring tangible benefits to Canada.