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Fabrication of complexed nanostructure using AAO template for ultrasensitive SERS detection
Jun Dong1, Chenlu Li1, Yan Wang1
1School of Electronic Engineering, Xi'an University of Posts and Telecommunications, Xi'an 710121, China.
Spectrochimica Acta. Part A, Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy
|February 27, 2024
Summary
This study presents a novel method for creating highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates using ordered gold nanoparticles. The developed SERS substrate demonstrates excellent uniformity and sensitivity for detecting trace amounts of aspartame in beverages.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Developing simple, fast, and scalable methods for preparing surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates is crucial for widespread application.
- Ordered arrays of noble metal nanoparticles are highly desirable for enhancing SERS sensitivity and uniformity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a straightforward and efficient method for fabricating highly sensitive and uniform SERS substrates.
- To investigate the use of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates for assembling gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) into ordered arrays.
- To evaluate the performance of the fabricated SERS substrates for trace analyte detection.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) as a template for ordered gold nanoparticle (Au NP) assembly.
- Employing liquid-liquid two-phase self-assembly (LLSA) for controlled loading of Au NPs into AAO pores.
- Modulating pore size and silanization to regulate NP density and number.
- Evaluating substrate performance using Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) and Crystal Violet (CV) as probe molecules.
Main Results:
- Achieved an enhancement factor of up to 6.34 × 107 for SERS detection.
- Demonstrated good substrate uniformity with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 9.94%.
- Established significant linear correlations between logarithmic concentration and Raman signal (R2 = 0.997 and 0.985).
- Determined a low detection limit of 0.0078 g/L for aspartame (APM).
Conclusions:
- The developed AAO-templated Au NP assembly method provides a simple, fast, and scalable route to high-performance SERS substrates.
- The substrates exhibit excellent sensitivity, uniformity, and linearity, making them suitable for trace analyte detection.
- The practical application was validated by detecting aspartame in commercial beverages, highlighting potential for food additive analysis.
