Multilayer Ag-Embedded Silica Nanostructure as a Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering-Based Chemical Sensor with...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy offers significant potential for detection analysis.
• Developing reliable quantitative methods using SERS is challenging due to issues with SERS-active material fabrication and signal stability.
• Existing SERS methods require robust nanoparticle-based structures and undisturbed signal acquisition for accurate quantification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate seamless multilayered core-shell nanoparticles with an embedded Raman label compound (ML_RLC dots) for quantitative SERS analysis.
• To establish a reliable internal standard within nanostructures for calibrating SERS signals.
• To demonstrate the application of ML_RLC dots for accurate ratiometric analysis in SERS detection.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of seamless multilayered core-shell nanoparticles incorporating a Raman label compound as an internal standard.
• Utilizing ML_RLC dots to acquire target analyte signals alongside a stable internal standard signal.
• Performing ratiometric analysis by normalizing relative SERS intensity for quantitative detection.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated ML_RLC dots, demonstrated with ML_4-BBT dots containing 4-bromobenzenethiol (4-BBT) as the internal standard.
• Achieved quantitative analysis of 4-fluorobenzenethiol and thiram (a model pesticide) using the developed ML_RLC dots.
• Confirmed the practicality of ratiometric analysis through signal normalization, enabling accurate quantification.

Conclusions:

• The developed ML_RLC dots provide a reliable internal standard for quantitative SERS analysis.
• Ratiometric analysis using these nanoparticles offers a robust strategy for accurate SERS quantification.
• This approach is versatile and applicable to various SERS substrates for detecting diverse analytes.