Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) is a metal organic framework with exceptional intrinsic properties, high tunability, cost-effective and producible, which has boosted the research development of the field. ZIF-8-based materials have shown high capabilities for multiple purposes as catalysts, capacitors, electrodes, drug delivery systems or adsorption/separation membranes. On the other hand, plasmonic nanoparticles made of Au and/or Ag exhibit unique and tuneable optical properties in the visible-NIR range that have been extendedly exploited in a wide range of applications. Herein, we report the synergistic combination of ZIF-8 and plasmonic nanoparticles for fabricating novel plasmonic nanostructures with enhanced properties for sensing and bioimaging. The nanostructures consist of a single plasmonic nanoparticle encapsulated within a ZIF-8 framework induced by the presence of on the nanoparticles surface. The CTAB also plays an important role in the modulation of the ZIF-8 thickness. The optical properties of the core-shell hybrid can be easily modulated by changing the size, morphology and composition of the plasmonic core. Finally, we demonstrate the applicability of this plasmonic hybrids for sensing and bioimaging based on Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) as well as to fabricate plasmonic porous nanocapsules for in situ monitoring pH changes in a colony of E. coli.

You can join the seminar by Zoom Meeting: https://rediris.zoom.us/j/82351998148?pwd=WnN0Vis2UHBGMGk3Mld4ODB3bHZMUT09