A sensitive sequential 'on/off' SERS assay for heparin with wider detection window and higher reliability based on the reversed surface charge changes of functionalized Au@Ag nanoparticles.

A sequential 'on/off' dual mode SERS assay platform for heparin with wider detection window and higher reliability is constructed based on electrostatic forces, in which the highly protonated chitosan encapsulated p-Mercaptobenzoic acid coated Au@Ag core-shell nanoparticles undergo sequential aggregation/segregation upon the additive of heparin with a limit of detection of 43.74ng/mL (5.69U/mL) and a continuous concentration range of 50-800ng/mL (6.