Janus Au-mesoporous silica nanoparticles as electrochemical biorecognition-signaling system

Janus Au-mesoporous silica nanoparticles were used as scaffolds to design an integrated electrochemical biorecognition-signaling system. A proof of concept of this strategy, based on the face-selective functionalization of the anisotropic colloid, involves the covalent immobilization of horseradish peroxidase on the mesoporous silica face as enzymatic signaling element, as well as the modification of the Au face with streptavidin and polyethylenglycol chains as biorecognition and solubilizing agents, respectively. The functionalized Janus nanoparticles were successful to recognize biotin on gold surfaces.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Janus Au-mesoporous silica nanoparticles for electrochemical biorecognition ► Integrated electrochemical biorecognition-signaling system ► Covalent immobilization of HRP on the silica face as enzymatic signaling element ► Au face modified with streptavidin as biorecognition agent ► Au face modified with polyethylenglycol chains as solubilizing agent