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Nanoimprinted PVDF-MWCNT Composites with Silver Coating as a Label-Free Plasmonic Platform for Ultrasensitive
Aeshah F Alotaibi1,2, Waseem Ahmad Wani3, Ghadeer Almohammadi4,5
1School of Physics, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4 D04 C1P1, Ireland.
ACS Applied Nano Materials
|April 24, 2025
Summary
This study developed a novel organic composite using polyvinylidene fluoride and carbon nanotubes. Nanoimprinting and silver deposition significantly enhance surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for sensitive chemical detection.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Polymer composites offer tunable properties for advanced applications.
- Carbon nanotubes enhance mechanical and electrical characteristics of polymers.
- Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a sensitive technique for chemical detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an organic hybrid composite for enhanced SERS.
- To investigate the effect of nanoimprinting on composite surface topography.
- To evaluate the SERS performance of the modified composite.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite.
- Nanoimprinting to create submicron surface arrays.
- Deposition of a thin silver layer.
- Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) measurements.
- Irradiation with superband gap light.
Main Results:
- Nanoimprinting created nanoscale roughening on the MWCNT/PVDF surface.
- Silver-coated nanoimprinted MWCNT/PVDF showed a 10-fold SERS enhancement over nanoimprinted PVDF.
- SERS signal was significantly higher than on flat MWCNT/PVDF.
- Superband gap irradiation further increased SERS signal by 2-fold.
Conclusions:
- The nanoimprinted MWCNT/PVDF composite with silver exhibits superior SERS activity.
- This material shows potential for creating plasmon-active arrays for sensitive chemical sensing.
- The developed composite offers a promising platform for advanced analytical detection.
