Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Nanoplosmonic Detection Within Catalytic Reactions

Filed under: Nanomedicine

Scientists from Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden have developed a method that uses optical resonance within nanoparticles to study catalytic reactions. The technology should make possible the development of ultrasensitive detection methods for a wide range of uses in the life sciences.

From the article abstract in Science:

Optical probes of heterogeneous catalytic reactions can be valuable tools for optimization and process control in that they can operate under realistic conditions, but often these probes lack sensitivity. We have developed a plasmonic sensing method for such reactions based on arrays of nanofabricated gold disks, covered by a thin (~10 nm) coating (catalyst support) on which the catalyst is deposited. The sensing particles monitor changes in surface coverage of reactants (below 0.1 monolayers) during catalytic reaction through peak shifts in the optical extinction spectrum. Sensitivities to below 10^-3 monolayers are estimated. The capacity of the method is demonstrated for three catalytic reactions, CO and H₂ oxidation on Pt and NO_x conversion to N₂ on Pt/BaO.

More details from Chalmers University of Technology press release: New nanomethod paves the way for new measuring technology and hypersensitive sensors....

Abstract in Science: Nanoplasmonic Probes of Catalytic Reactions...

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