Self-Assembly of Strain-Adaptable Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrate on Polydimethylsiloxane Nanowrinkles

Ran Peng ¹, Tingting Zhang ¹, Shiyao Wang ^2,3

⁰College of Marine Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Lingshui Road, Dalian 116026, China.

Analytical Chemistry +

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June 18, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Researchers developed a flexible surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate using gold nanoparticles on wrinkled polydimethylsiloxane. This adaptable SERS sensor enhances signal detection for environmental and food safety analysis.

Area Of Science

Materials Science
Analytical Chemistry
Nanotechnology

Background

Developing stable and sensitive flexible surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates for irregular surfaces remains a significant challenge.
Strain-adaptable SERS sensors are crucial for effective chemical sampling in diverse environments.
Existing flexible SERS substrates often lack the required sensitivity and robustness for practical applications.

Purpose Of The Study

To fabricate a high-performance, strain-adaptable SERS substrate with enhanced sensitivity and stability.
To investigate the effect of nanowrinkled structures on SERS signal enhancement.
To demonstrate the substrate's capability for quantitative analysis of phenolic pollutants.

Main Methods

Fabrication of a flexible SERS substrate via self-assembly of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanowrinkles.
Creation of PDMS nanowrinkles through plasma-induced oxidation and release of prestrain.
Characterization of the substrate's performance, including SERS signal enhancement, strain adaptability, and reproducibility.

Main Results

The nanowrinkled PDMS structure significantly improved surface roughness, leading to approximately a 4-fold enhancement in SERS signals compared to flat substrates.
The developed SERS substrate demonstrated excellent adaptability to dynamic bending (up to ~|0.4| 1/cm) with high testing reproducibility.
Quantitative detection of phenolic pollutants like aniline and catechol was successfully achieved using the flexible SERS substrate.

Conclusions

The self-assembled flexible SERS substrate on PDMS nanowrinkles offers a high-performance solution for chemical analysis.
This technology provides a powerful tool for real-time environmental monitoring and food safety inspection.
The strain-adaptable nature and enhanced sensitivity make it suitable for sampling from irregular surfaces.