Gas sensing characteristic of biofunctionalized gold nanoparticles

In the present investigation we report a novel approach of detecting hazardous gases like Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) employing bio-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNP) at room temperature using a homemade Metal Insulator Metal Ensemble (MIME) sensor. A large modulation in the electrical conductance is observed when the vapor of H2S is passed through the synthesized AuNP. Surface plasmon resonance and I-V studies have collaborated with the results of gas detection even at very low concentrations of H2S. The morphology of AuNP before and after adsorption of H 2S was studied employing Atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique. The AuNP based sensing layers demonstrated rapid and reversible uptake of H 2S vapors and the response and retention time studies of the gas envisage that the MIME sensor developed in the present study may be commercially viable. Copyright © 2011 American Scientific Publishers.