Fabrication of core-shell structured nanoparticle layer substrate for excitation of localized surface plasmon resonance and its optical response for DNA in aqueous conditions

LSPR from nanostructured noble metals such as gold and silver offers great potential for biosensing applications. In this study, a core-shell structured nanoparticle layer substrate was fabricated and the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) optical characteristics were investigated for DNA in aqueous conditions. Factors such as DNA length dependence, concentration dependence, and the monitoring of DNA aspects (ssDNA or dsDNA) were measured. Different lengths and concentrations of DNA solutions were introduced onto the surface of the substrate and the changes in the LSPR optical characteristics were measured. In addition, to monitor the changes in LSPR optical characteristics for different DNA aspects, a DNA solutions denatured by means of heat or alkali were introduced onto the surface, after which optical characterization of the core-shell structured nanoparticle substrate was carried out. With this core-shell structured nanoparticle layer for the excitation of LSPR, the dependence upon specific DNA conditions (length, concentration, and aspect) could be monitored. In particular, the core-shell structured nanoparticle layer substrate could detect DNA of length 100-5000 bp and 400-bp DNA at a concentration of 4.08 ng mL−1 (1 × 107 DNA molecules mL−1). Furthermore, the changes in LSPR optical characteristics with DNA aspect could be monitored. Thus, LSPR-based optical detection using a core-shell structured nanoparticle layer substrate can be used to determine the kinetics of biomolecular interactions in a wide range of practical applications such as medicine, drug delivery, and food control.