Refractive index and formaldehyde sensing with silver nanocubes.

We report the synthesis of Ag nanocubes by using a sodium sulfide assisted solvothermal method. Small edge-length nanocubes (32 and 44 nm) were obtained at 145 and 155 °C reaction temperature in the synthesis process. The refractive index sensitivity of synthesized nanocubes was investigated with an aqueous solution of glucose. The refractive index sensitivity of 161 nm per RIU was found in the colloidal dispersion of nanocubes. On the LSPR chip made by immobilization of nanocubes on the (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane modified glass coverslip, the obtained sensitivity was 116 nm per RIU. Detection of formaldehyde in water and milk samples was also performed with nanocubes of edge-length of 44 nm. Formaldehyde detection was performed by utilizing the interaction of the aryl amine of 4-aminothiophenol immobilized on the nanocubes and electrophilic carbon atom of the formaldehyde. In water and in diluted milk, the formaldehyde sensitivity of 0.62 and 0.29 nm μM-1 was obtained, respectively.