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Flexible SERS sensor based on the photodecoration of Au-NPs on Co3O4 NWs/carbon fiber cloth for the ultrasensitive detection of methylene blue in the curved fish surfaces

  • 0Department of Chemical Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City, 243303, Taiwan.
Analytica Chimica Acta +

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May 8, 2024

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May 8, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a flexible surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensor using carbon fiber cloth, cobalt oxide nanowires, and gold nanoparticles for ultrasensitive detection of methylene blue. This novel substrate offers high performance and potential for real-time environmental monitoring.

Area Of Science

  • Materials Science
  • Spectroscopy
  • Nanotechnology

Background

  • Flexible platforms for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) are crucial for portable sensing applications.
  • Fabricating semiconductor-based substrates with plasmonic nanoparticles enhances SERS detection sensitivity through hotspot generation.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To develop a flexible SERS active substrate for ultrasensitive detection of organic dyes.
  • To investigate the synergistic enhancement effects of cobalt oxide nanowires and gold nanoparticles on SERS performance.
  • To demonstrate the substrate's capability for detecting pollutants on curved surfaces and its photodegradation potential.

Main Methods

  • Fabrication of a flexible substrate using carbon fiber cloth (CFC) hydrothermally grown with cobalt oxide nanowires (Co3O4 NWs).
  • Photodeposition of plasmonic gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) onto the Co3O4 NWs/CFC structure.
  • Ultrasensitive detection of methylene blue (MB) using the fabricated SERS sensor.
  • Assessment of substrate performance including enhancement factor, limit of detection, uniformity, reproducibility, and mechanical strength.
  • Demonstration of MB photodegradation under UVC light irradiation.

Main Results

  • The developed flexible SERS substrate achieved a high enhancement factor of 4.5 × 10^10 and a low limit of detection of 1.42 × 10^-10 M for MB.
  • The sensor exhibited good uniformity (6.27%) and reproducibility (6.30%), along with excellent mechanical stability over 40 detection cycles.
  • Successful detection of MB residues on fish surfaces using a simple swab-sampling technique.
  • Demonstrated effective photodegradation of MB within 90 minutes under UVC irradiation.

Conclusions

  • The synergistic effect of Co3O4 NWs (chemical enhancement) and Au NPs (electromagnetic enhancement) significantly boosts SERS detection sensitivity on curved surfaces.
  • The CFC-based flexible SERS sensor is a highly promising platform for real-time detection of organic pollutants on non-planar surfaces.
  • This technology holds potential for environmental monitoring and other applications requiring portable, sensitive detection methods.

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