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A Highly Sensitive Chitosan-Based SERS Sensor for the Trace Detection of a Model Cationic Dye
Bahareh Vafakish1, Lee D Wilson1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Saskatchewan, 110 Science Place, Thorvaldson Building, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C9, Canada.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|September 14, 2024
Summary
This study introduces a novel biocomposite sensor made from grafted chitosan and silver nanoparticles for detecting water contaminants. The eco-friendly sensor shows high sensitivity and reusability, offering a sustainable solution for environmental monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Rapid detection of water contaminants is crucial for environmental protection.
- Eco-friendly materials are increasingly important for water monitoring technologies.
- Biocomposites offer a promising avenue for developing advanced sensing platforms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel biocomposite sensor for water contaminant detection.
- To utilize grafted chitosan as a matrix for silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in a Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) sensor.
- To assess the sensor's sensitivity, reusability, and stability for environmental applications.
Main Methods:
- Grafting chitosan (CS) with thiol and carboxylic acid groups using S-acetyl mercaptosuccinic anhydride (SAMSA) to create CS-SAMSA.
- Immobilizing Ag NPs onto CS-SAMSA to form the Ag@CS-SAMSA biocomposite.
- Characterizing the Ag@CS-SAMSA using various spectral and microscopic techniques (IR, Raman, XPS, TEM).
- Evaluating the SERS performance using methylene blue (MB) as a model dye, assessing sensitivity, reusability, and reproducibility.
Main Results:
- The Ag@CS-SAMSA biocomposite exhibited high sensitivity with an enhancement factor of approximately 10^8.
- The sensor demonstrated good reusability over three cycles, along with acceptable reproducibility and storage stability.
- Raman imaging confirmed a significant SERS effect, enabling methylene blue detection in the 1-100 μM range.
- The sensor's limits of detection and quantitation rival current state-of-the-art systems.
Conclusions:
- A sustainable, dual-function biocomposite (Ag@CS-SAMSA) was successfully developed for water monitoring.
- The sensor possesses tailored adsorption and sensing properties suitable for environmental applications.
- This research highlights the potential of biocomposites in advanced water treatment and environmental sensing technologies.
