Janus PEGylated gold nanoparticles: a robust colorimetric probe for sensing nitrite ions in complex samples

Abstract

We presented a Janus PEGylated AuNP probe where PEGs and recognition ligands (e.g., 4-aminobenzenethiol, 4-ABT) were asymmetrically functionalized on an AuNP. With this design, the probes showed high colloidal stability, signal robustness, specificity, and sufficient sensitivity in the determination of NO₂^- in various complex samples.