3-Mercaptopropionic acid

3-MPA is used to produce hydrophilic SAMs, which are terminated with carboxylic acids and can be further functionalized to introduce more complex end groups such as enzymes for biosensor applications. SAMs of 3-MPA are capped on ZnSe quantum dots for the electrochemical detection of dopamine. 3-MPA is used as a capping agent on CdTe quantum dot nanocrystals (QD NCs) for use as labeling materials in biomedical applications. It can also be used to modify the surface of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₂O₃) in the extraction and preconcentration of Al³⁺ and Cr³⁺ ions from different biological samples.

3-Mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA) is used as a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) with a thiol and carboxylic groups. It has short carbon chains and is mainly used as a capping agent on a variety of nanoparticles.