Passive and Active Detection of Conducting Nanoparticles by Nanogaps

Immobilization of conducting nanoparticles on a nanogap comprising two electrodes spaced at a distance comparable to the particle size can be used as a simple and sensitive method of detecting the particles. In this work, we have examined the performance of the nanogap devices in the measurement of metallic nanoparticles, particularly gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). Detection of pM-level Au NPs in an aqueous suspension was quite straightforward irrespective of the existence of non-conducting materials. Speed of detection or the time necessary for the completion of the measurement, however, was strongly dependent upon the immobilization process. Active trapping process was found to be much more efficient and also effective in the detection of nanoparticles than its passive counterpart.