Nanoengineering of fluorescence-based chemical sensors using electrostatic self-assembly: thin films and microanoshells

摘要

A general strategy for design and fabrication of nanoscale fluorescent sensors using electrostatic layer-by-layer assembly is presented. Using the approach of depositing oppositely-charged species onto colloidal microanotemplates, two sensor systems employing fluorescent indicators and functional biomolecules are proposed: thin sensor films on solid carriers, and microanocapsules containing sensing chemistry. Results demonstrating these concepts are described for ion (sodium and potassium), oxygen, and glucose sensors. The work suggests great potential for layer-by-layer architecture to fabricate nanostructured fluorescent sensors using nanoscale solid carriers and hollow microshells.