Nanomaterials for Molecular Sensor Applications
Shapiro Laboratory
We are working with other members of the BANTech team to chemically functionalize nanomaterials for molecular sensor applications and for the intracellular delivery of biomolecules. Currently, we are developing wet-chemical methods for the metallization of SiO2 nanosprings and GaN nanowires that are produced in David McIlroy's laboratory for use in sensors. Shown in Figure 1 and 2 are SEM images of SiO2 nanosprings that we have coated with Ag and Au nanoparticles, respectively, using wet-chemical methods.
Figure 1. SEM image of SiO2 nanosprings coated with ~40 nm Ag nanoparticles
Figure 2. SEM image of SiO2 nanosprings coated with ~12 nm Au nanoparticles
We have also been developing synthetic routes to nanocrystals of metal chalcogenide materials for use in targeted biomolecule delivery in cells and organisms. We have succeeded in preparing 1-2 nm-sized nanoparticles of the semiconductor CuInS2 via the photochemical decomposition of molecular single source precursors that we synthesize in our laboratory. We plan to use these materials as platforms for delivering biomolecules in gene knockdown experiments that will be performed in the laboratories of Rod Hill and Debra Stenkamp.
