Silica coated gold nanoaggregates prepared by reverse microemulsion method: Dual mode probes for multiplex immunoassay using SERS and fluorescence

► We synthesis a dual-mode nanoprobe exhibiting both fluorescence and SERS signals. ► The nanoprobe is composed of fluorescent dye-doped, silica-coated Au aggregates. ► Prepared by reverse microemulsion method, the nanoprobe has a uniform size. ► Tagging DTNB (4MBA) to Au nanoparticles can induce stable Au aggregates directly. ► Such nanoprobes can detect multiplex biomolecules through SERS and fluorescence.