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Monday, 10th August 2009 (5180 views)

Scientific researchers from China have discovered a way of using sunlight and DNA to create silver-gold bimetallic nanostructures capable of detecting explosive substances.

Liang-bao Yang, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Science, said that scientists exposed a mixture of silver nitrate and DNA to natural light before adding gold ions to form a coating on the silver particles.

He noted that this synthesis is more straightforward and environmentally-friendly than other methods used in the formation of bimetallic nanostructures, Nano Werk reports.

"The team found that the nanoparticles are excellent substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering - their size and shape magnifies light scattering and makes it easier to detect low concentrations of absorbed molecules," the publication stated.

According to Mr Yang, the nanoparticles could one day be used in the fight against terrorism.

A paper published on the subject in the Journals of Materials Chemistry noted that the AG-DNA particles can be placed on to gold electrodes and used as a biosensor of cancer.

 

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