Overcoming Fluorescence Interference: "Planar Hotspot" Substrates for Vitamin B Detection with SERS

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) offers high specificity for molecular detection.
• Detecting fluorescent vitamin B molecules via SERS is challenging due to fluorescence interference and weak Raman signals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an innovative SERS substrate for sensitive detection of fluorescent vitamin B molecules.
• To overcome the limitations of fluorescence interference and weak Raman signals in vitamin B detection.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a large-area silver nanodisk substrate with "planar hotspots" to maximize effective hotspot surface area.
• Utilizing the planar hotspots to quench fluorescence and amplify Raman signals of vitamin B molecules.
• Integration of machine-learning algorithms for signal analysis in simulated biofluid environments.

Main Results:

• Achieved the first-time detection of highly fluorescent vitamin B molecules using SERS.
• Demonstrated successful detection of vitamin B molecules in simulated biofluid samples.
• The developed substrate effectively quenched fluorescence and enhanced Raman signals.

Conclusions:

• The novel SERS platform provides a precise, rapid, reproducible, and noninvasive method for trace-level vitamin B analysis.
• This technology shows significant promise for intelligent detection in food, pharmaceuticals, and human samples.
• The "planar hotspot" design is a key innovation for overcoming fluorescence interference in SERS applications.