Multifunctional nanoparticles: Analytical prospects

• Published in: Analytica chimica acta Vol. 666; no. 1; pp. 1 - 22
• Main Authors: de Dios, Alejandro Simón, Díaz-García, Marta Elena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 07-05-2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Analytical applications; Analytical chemistry; Animals; Carbon; Carbon - chemistry; Chemistry; Chemistry Techniques, Analytical - methods; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; General, instrumentation; Gold - chemistry; Humans; Magnetics; Materials science; Mathematical analysis; Multifunctional nanoparticles; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanostructure; Physics; Quantum Dots; Raw materials; Titanium dioxide; Analytical applications; Multifunctional nanoparticles; Gold; Quantum dot; Chemical analysis; Multifunctionality; Nanoparticle; Use; Carbon nanotubes; Raw materials; Review; Silica; Gadolinium oxides; Gene amplification; Magnetic particles; Electrochemical properties; Optical properties; Catalysis; Application; Functional group
• ISSN: 0003-2670; 1873-4324
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2010.03.038

Multifunctional nanoparticles are among the most exciting nanomaterials with promising applications in analytical chemistry. These applications include (bio)sensing, (bio)assays, catalysis and separations. Although most of these applications are based on the magnetic, optical and electrochemical properties of multifunctional nanoparticles, other aspects such as the synergistic effect of the functional groups and the amplification effect associated with the nanoscale dimension have also been observed. Considering not only the nature of the raw material but also the shape, there is a huge variety of nanoparticles. In this review only magnetic, quantum dots, gold nanoparticles, carbon and inorganic nanotubes as well as silica, titania and gadolinium oxide nanoparticles are addressed. This review presents a narrative summary on the use of multifuncional nanoparticles for analytical applications, along with a discussion on some critical challenges existing in the field and possible solutions that have been or are being developed to overcome these challenges.