ABSTRACT
Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are two of the most efϐicient light scattering materials, and are extensively utilized in resonance light scattering (RLS) techniques. RLS techniques using these NPs are sensitive and selective for the analysis of biological and environmental samples. Although Au NPs are not as efϐicient as Ag NPs in RLS, their stability, ease in preparation and conjugation make them more popular. Because RLS signals are proportional to aggregate size, most RLS techniques are developed from measuring the RLS signal based on the aggregation of Au or Ag NPs, induced by the analytes. To develop highly sensitive RLS techniques, several important parameters such as the nature, size, and shape of NPs, as well as the intensity and frequency of the light source must be well controlled. Due to signiϐicant progress in nanoscience, it is expected that more efϐicient RLS probes will soon be developed for the detection of trace biomolecules and cell imaging.
