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

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has demonstrated remarkable potential for molecular detection due to its specificity. However, detecting fluorescent vitamin B molecules remains challenging due to fluorescence interference and weak Raman cross-sections. To address this, we developed an innovative large-area silver nanodisk substrate with "planar hotspots" featuring an extensive effective hotspot surface area. This design enables the adsorption of target molecules into the planar hotspot region, effectively quenching fluorescence through direct interaction with the silver substrate while amplifying Raman signals. For the first time, we detected high-fluorescence vitamin B molecules using SERS. This method successfully detected vitamin B molecules in simulated biofluid environments by integrating advanced machine-learning algorithms. As a precise, rapid, reproducible, noninvasive, and multifunctional detection platform, it holds significant promise for intelligent trace-level analysis of vitamin B molecules in food, pharmaceuticals, and human samples.