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Particle size distribution and Au concentration dependence of the refractive-index sensitivity of LSPR sensors based on gold nanoparticles

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Abstract

In this study, we investigated the effect of particle size distribution on the performance of gold nanoparticles (GNPs)-based localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensor developed for measuring the refractive indices of solvents. GNPs with different size distributions were synthesized using a microfluidic device by tuning the gold precursor flow rate, and an LSPR sensor was fabricated by fixing the synthesized GNPs on a glass substrate. The peak wavelengths in the absorption spectra recorded in various solvents with different refractive indices confirmed that the sensitivity of the GNPs-based LSPR sensor depends on the coefficient of variation of the nanoparticles. An LSPR sensor based on monodisperse GNPs with a coefficient of variation of 0.11 exhibits higher sensitivity (77 nm/RIU) than that based on GNPs synthesized by a batch process with three times the Au concentration and a coefficient of variation of 0.27. The results suggest that highly sensitive LSPR sensors can be fabricated using GNPs with low coefficients of variation and even low Au concentrations.

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Data availability

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article. Moreover, the raw data are available from the corresponding author (Hamamoto) upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank JKA, 2021M-190, grant title “Subsidy Project on Particle Size Control and Size Distribution Technology of Gold Nanoparticles Optimization for the Development of LSPR Sensor for Refractive Index Detection.”

Funding

This study was subsidized in part by the “Japan Keirin Autorace foundation” (JKA) (2021 M-190) through promotional funds from the KEIRIN RACE.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kanto Gakuin University, 1-50-1 Mutsuura-Higashi, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, 236-8501, Japan

    Mao Hamamoto & Hiromasa Yagyu

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  1. Mao Hamamoto
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  2. Hiromasa Yagyu
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Mao Hamamoto conducted the experiments and wrote the manuscript. Hiromasa Yagyu reviewed and edited the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Mao Hamamoto.

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Hamamoto, M., Yagyu, H. Particle size distribution and Au concentration dependence of the refractive-index sensitivity of LSPR sensors based on gold nanoparticles. J Nanopart Res 25, 158 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-023-05802-6

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