High surface plasmon resonant sensitive silver nanoplates for detection of C-reactive protein

We present high aspect ratio triangular silver nanoplates (TSNP) as the first highly sensitive localized surface plasmon (LSPR) solution phase ensemble nanostructures. The LSPR and LSPR sensitivity are easily tunable throughout visible and near-infrared biosensing relevant wavelengths. The dependence of the LSPR dielectric sensitivity upon the TSNP structural parameters has been examined in detail for a range of aspect ratios. LSPR sensitivities of up to 1070 nm/RIU have been recorded for TSNP with exceptionally high aspect ratios. In a simple one-step solution phase LSPR-shift assay functionalized TSNP ensembles are used for the homogenous phase detection of C-reactive protein at levels as low as 5 ng.