Rapid detection of tebuconazole based on hydrogel SERS chips

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Tebuconazole is a widely used fungicide in agriculture, known for its effectiveness and broad spectrum.
• Excessive tebuconazole residues pose significant risks to human and animal health.
• Traditional detection methods for tebuconazole are often limited by cost, stability, and time.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sensitive and rapid sensor for tebuconazole detection.
• To create a reliable platform for analyzing tebuconazole in food samples.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of aggregated silver nanoparticles (a-AgNPs) within a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel matrix to create SERS chips.
• Optimization of hydrogel SERS chips by matching localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) with laser wavelengths for enhanced electromagnetic and chemical signals.
• Utilizing tailored laser wavelengths and a-AgNPs energy levels for strong Raman signal enhancement of tebuconazole.

Main Results:

• Achieved highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signals for tebuconazole detection.
• Demonstrated good repeatability, reproducibility, and anti-interference capabilities of the hydrogel SERS chips.
• Established a detection limit as low as 1 ppb with recoveries ranging from 94.66% to 106.70%.

Conclusions:

• The developed hydrogel SERS chips provide a reliable and convenient platform for the rapid detection of tebuconazole in food.
• This approach significantly enhances the sensitivity and efficiency of small molecule detection using SERS technology.
• The sensor's performance indicates its potential for practical application in food safety monitoring.