Gold nanorods and their nanocomposites: synthesis and recent applications in analytical chemistry

Abstract This review summarizes different methods for synthesis and recent analytical applications of gold nanorods (AuNRs) and their nanocomposites. Advantages and shortcomings of the main techniques for the synthesis are discussed. Approaches to improve AuNRs characteristics are also considered. Along with various fields of science, AuNRs are used in chemical analysis for sensitive determination of numerous compounds in diverse objects. Recent trends in the analytical use of AuNRs and their nanocomposites are summarized. Application of AuNRs in spectrophotometry, luminescence and Raman spectroscopy, electrochemistry is described. Basic principles of analytical signal generation and peculiarities of the AuNRs use for each group of methods are pointed out and discussed. Main analytical features of the proposed approaches are represented.