Detection of Human Ig G Using Photoluminescent Porous Silicon Interferometer.

Photoluminescent porous silicon (PSi) interferometers having dual optical properties, both Fabry-Pérot fringe and photolumincence (PL), have been developed and used as biosensors for detection of Human Immunoglobin G (Ig G). PSi samples were prepared by electrochemical etching of p-type silicon under white light exposure. The surface of PSi was characterized using a cold field emission scanning electron microscope. The sensor system studied consisted of a single layer of porous silicon modified with Protein A. The system was probed with various fragments of aqueous human immunoglobin G (Ig G) analyte. Both reflectivity and PL were simultaneously measured under the exposure of human Ig G. An increase of optical thickness and decrease of PL were obtained under the exposure of human Ig G. Detection limit of 500 fM was observed for the human Ig G.

Anisotropic multi-spot DBR porous silicon chip for the detection of human immunoglobin G.

Asymmetric porous silicon multilayer (APSM)-based optical biosensor was developed to specify human Immunoglobin G (Ig G). APSM chip was generated by an electrochemical etching of silicon wafer using an asymmetric electrode configuration in aqueous ethanolic HF solution and constituted with nine arrayed porous silicon multilayer. APSM prepared from anisotropic etching conditions displayed a sharp reflection resonance in the reflectivity spectrum. Each spot displayed single reflection resonance at different wavelengths as a function of the lateral distance from the Pt counter electrode. The sensor system was consisted of the 3 x 3 spot array of APSM modified with protein A. The system was probed with an aqueous human Ig G. Molecular binding and specificity was monitored as a shift in wavelength of reflection resonance.

Fabrication and characterization of photoluminescent silicon nanoparticles for drug delivery applications.

Photoluminescent silicon nanoparticles containing camptothecin (CPT) were fabricated by using a CPT-derivatized porous silicon (PSi). PSi samples displaying red photoluminescence (PL) were prepared by an electrochemical etch of n-type silicon under the illumination with a 300 W tungsten filament bulb for the duration of etch. For the drug-derivatized PSi, luminescent PSi was oxidized and derivatized with CPT. Silicon nanoparticles containing CPT were obtained by fracturing of luminescent PSi with ultrasono-method. Optical characteristic of drug-derivatized silicon particles were investigated in aqueous buffer solution. The release of CPT was measured by UV-vis spectrometer. The intensity of fluorescence of the silicon nanoparticles was measured with a drug release. The concentration of released drug exhibited non-linear relationship with a release time.

Synthesis and optical characterization of silicon nanoparticles.

Various reaction conditions, such as quantity of reducing agent and reaction time were investigated with the aim of finding a simple, optimized synthetic route for the synthesis of luminescent silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs). Si NPs were synthesized from the reaction of ethylenediammonium chloride and magnesium silicide via a low temperature solution route. Optical characterizations of silicon nanoparticles were achieved by using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. As the reaction time longer, silicon nanoparticles grew and their emission wavelength shifted to the longer wavelength. The monotonic shift of the photoluminescence as a function of excitation wavelength resulted in the excitation of different sizes of nanocrystals that had different optical transition energies.

Fabrication of human IgG sensors based on porous silicon interferometer containing Bragg structures.

A simply modified biosensor based on protein A-modified distributed Bragg reflectors (DBR) porous silicon (PSi) chip for the detection of human immunoglobin G (IgG) are developed. The fabrication, optical characterization, and surface derivatization of DBR PSi are investigated. The sensor system studied consist of multi-layer of porous silicon modified with protein-A. The sensor is operated by the measurement of the reflection peak in the white light reflection spectrum. Molecular binding is detected as a shift in wavelength of reflection peaks.

Multi-spot porous silicon chip prepared from asymmetric electrochemical etching for human immunoglobin G sensor.

Multi-spot porous silicon (MSPS)-based optical biosensor was developed to specify the biomolecules. MSPS chip was generated by an electrochemical etching of silicon wafer using an asymmetric electrode configuration in aqueous ethanolic HF solution and constituted with nine arrayed porous silicon. MSPS prepared from anisotropic etching conditions displayed the Fabry-Pérot fringe patterns which varied spatially across the porous silicon (PS). Each spot displayed different reflection resonances and different pore characteristics as a function of the lateral distance from the Pt counter electrode. The sensor system consists of the 3 x 3 spot array of porous silicon modified with Protein A. The system was probed with various fragments of an aqueous Human Immunoglobin G (Ig G) analyte. The sensor operated by measurement of the reflection patterns in the white light reflection spectrum of MSPS. Molecular binding and specificity was detected as a shift in wavelength of these Fabry-Pérot fringe patterns.

Fabrication of gradient optical filter containing anisotropic Bragg nanostructure.

New gradient optical filters containing asymmetric Bragg structure were prepared from the distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) porous silicon (PSi). Anisotropic DBR PSi displaying a rainbow-colored reflection was generated by using an asymmetric etching configuration. Flexible anisotropic DBR PSi composite films were obtained by casting of polymer solution onto anisotropic DBR PSi thin films. The surface and cross-sectional images images of anisotropic DBR PSi composite films obtained with cold field emission scanning electron microscope indicated that the average pore size and the thickness of porous layer decreased as the lateral distance increased. As lateral distance increased, the reflection resonance shifted to shorter wavelength.

Silicon quantum dot sensors for an explosive taggant, 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNB).

Silicon quantum dots obtained by the reaction of magnesium silicide with ethylenediamine dihydrochloride were utilized to investigate the sensing mechanism and sensitivity for DMNB detection applications. Sensing DMNB provided us with evidence that Si QDs with a higher lying conduction band have better sensitivity compared to CdSe QDs.

Detection of Organic Vapors Based on Photoluminescent Bragg-Reflective Porous Silicon Interferomete.

Novel photoluminescent Bragg-reflective porous silicon, exhibiting dual optical properties, both the optical reflectivity and photoluminescence, was developed and used for sensing organic vapors. Photoluminescent Bragg-reflective porous silicon samples were prepared by an electrochemical etch of n-type silicon under the illumination. The etching solution consisted of a 3:1 volume mixture of aqueous 48% hydrofluoric acid and absolute ethanol. The typical etch parameters for the generation of photoluminescent Bragg-reflective porous silicon involved a periodic square wave current with 50 repeats. The surface of photoluminescent Bragg-reflective porous silicon was characterized by a FT-IR spectroscopy. Both reflectivity and photoluminescence were simultaneously measured under the exposure of organic vapors. The shift of reflection band to the longer wavelength and the quenching of photoluminescence under the exposure of various organic vapors were observed.

Synthesis and Characterization of Microwave-Exfoliated Graphene Oxide-Wrapped Silicon Nanowire via Hydrosilylation.

Single-crystalline silicon nanowires (SiNWs) were fabricated by using an electroless metal-assisted etching of bulk silicon wafers with silver nanoparticles obtained by wet electroless deposition. The etching of SiNWs is based on sequential treatment in aqueous solutions of silver nitrate followed by hydrofluoric acid and hydrogen peroxide. Free-standing SiNWs were then obtained using ultra-sono method in toluene. Graphene oxide was prepared using the modified Hummers' process. Activated microwave-exfoliated graphite oxide (MEGO) was prepared and used for composition of silicon nanowires and graphene oxide via hydrosilylation. The silicon nanowire-graphene composite materials were characterized using XPS and FE-SEM.

Fabrication and optical characterization of multi-encoded rugate porous silicon/polymer composite.

Multi-encoded rugate porous silicon (MRPS)/polystyrene composite films were fabricated by using a free-standing multi-encoded rugate PS and polystyrene. MRPS exhibiting three reflection resonances was generated by an electrochemical etching of silicon wafer using a composite waveform summed three computer-generated pseudo-sinusoidal current waveforms, which were corresponded to the each of the sine components varied from 0.40, 0.38, to 0.36 Hz, with a spacing of 0.02 Hz between each sine component. They displayed three sharp photonic reflection resonances in the optical reflectivity spectrum. MRPS/polymer composite films obtained by casting of polystyrene polymer solution exhibited excellent photonic characteristics and robust structure upon flexing. For a possible application as VOCs sensor, these films were served for the detection of organic vapors such hexane and methanol.

Synthesis of silicon quantum dots showing high quantum efficiency.

Quantum efficiencies of Si quantum dots (QDs) have been investigated from the reaction of magnesium silicide and ammonium chloride. The change of quantum yield and optical characterization of Si QDs are measured depending on the reaction time. Highly luminescent Si QDs were obtained as the reaction time increased. Absorption measurement indicated that the Si QDs consisted of only silicon and hydrogen atom. Optical characterizations of Si QDs were measured by UV-Vis and PL spectroscopy. The size distribution and orientation of Si QDs were measured by TEM and XRD. TEM image displays the spherical Si QDs with the size of 3-4 nm. As the reaction time increased, Si QDs grew and their emission wavelength shifted to the longer wavelength. The monotonic shift of the PL as a function of excitation wavelength resulted in the excitation of different sizes of QDs that had different optical transition energies. Photoluminescence quantum yields exceeding 60% have been achieved.

Detection of nerve agent stimulants based on photoluminescent porous silicon interferometer.

Porous silicon (PSi) exhibiting dual optical properties, both Fabry-Pérot fringe and photolumincence, was developed and used as chemical sensors. PSi samples were prepared by an electrochemical etch of p-type silicon under the illumination of 300-W tungsten lamp during the etch process. The surface of PSi was characterized by cold field-emission scanning electron microscope. PSi samples exhibited a strong visible orange photoluminescence at 610 nm with an excitation wavelength of 460 nm as well as Fabry-Pérot fringe with a tungsten light source. Both reflectivity and photoluminescence were simultaneously measured under the exposure of organophosphate vapors. An increase of optical thickness and quenching photoluminescences under the exposure of various organophosphate vapors were observed.