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Photoactive Au@MoS2 Micromotors for Dynamic Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Sensing
Víctor de la Asunción-Nadal1, Juan Victor Perales-Rondon1,2, Alvaro Colina2
1Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Chemical Engineering, Universidad de Alcala, Alcala de Henares, E-28802 Madrid, Spain.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|November 16, 2023
Summary
Smart micromotors propel themselves using light, concentrating analytes for enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) detection. This dynamic SERS approach simplifies experiments and boosts sensitivity for environmental and clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Spectroscopy
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful analytical technique.
- Developing dynamic and efficient SERS substrates is crucial for advanced sensing.
- Micromotor technology offers new possibilities for manipulating nanoscale materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop photophoretic gold-silicon disulfide (Au@MoS2) micromotors as mobile SERS substrates.
- To investigate the use of micromotor swarming for analyte preconcentration and signal enhancement.
- To demonstrate a simplified and effective SERS strategy for on-site detection.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of Au@MoS2 micromotors with photophoretic capabilities.
- Utilizing light-induced propulsion for micromotor aggregation at the sensing site.
- Applying dynamic SERS for the detection of crystal violet, malachite green, and paraquat.
Main Results:
- Achieved 15-18 fold signal enhancement for crystal violet detection.
- Demonstrated reproducible collective micromotor motion independent of laser positioning.
- Successfully detected other analytes like malachite green and paraquat with enhanced signals.
Conclusions:
- Photophoretic Au@MoS2 micromotors serve as effective dynamic SERS substrates.
- The developed SERS strategy simplifies experimental setups and enhances detection sensitivity.
- This approach shows significant potential for portable, on-site environmental and clinical monitoring.
