Ag-nanoparticle fractionation by low melting point agarose gel electrophoresis

摘要

The separation of surface-enhanced raman scattering (SERS)-active Ag-multi-nanoparticle (NP) assemblies by low melting point agarose gel electrophoresis was accomplished here by controlling surface charge using NP capping agents, and the pore size of agarose gel matrix. Detailed transmission electron microscopy analysis of excised gel fractions showed dimers and small clusters to have the greatest SERS activity and a mobility in between the monomers and large aggregates. This strategy enables one to: (1) stabilize small multispherical Ag clusters against further aggregation during purification; (2) fractionate and recover spherical assemblies by nuclearity; and (3) analyze SERS-enhancements for each fraction to optimize purification conditions.