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Updated: Jun 10, 2025

Author Spotlight: Development and Application of SERS Flexible Substrates Using Synthesized AgNPs
Published on: November 17, 2023
Perfluorodecanethiol-Functionalized Silver Nanoparticles on Polyester Films as High-Performance Surface-Enhanced
Wei Li1,2, Tingting Zhang2, Shiying Wu2
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
Abstract:
The insufficient capabilities of current surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates in enriching dilute analytes from complex media severely restrict detection sensitivity, hampering practical applications. To meet this demand, in this study, a novel super hydrophobic membrane that can be directly prepared on a large scale based on the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) functioning with perfluorodecanethiol (PFDT) is fabricated and evaluated as an SERS substrate. Firstly, polyester (PET) films modified with sodium chloride were proven to be capable of loading AgNPs, and the sizes of AgNPs were investigated. In addition, the PFDT concentration and reaction time for functionalizing the surface of AgNPs have been optimized. The relationship between the hydrophobic properties of the film and its SERS performance was then studied. The PET@Ag-PFDT film demonstrates two orders of magnitude superior SERS performance than the unmodified PET@Ag substrate, with a detection limit of folic acid approaching 5 × 10-10 M.

