Self-Assembled Multifunctional Supraparticle Films for Label-Free Direct SERS Quantitation of Weakly Adsorbing Molecules in Serum

Yingrui Zhang ¹, Chunchun Li ^2,1, Weilong Liu ³

⁰School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland, U.K.

Acs Applied Materials & Interfaces +

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October 23, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

We developed a new surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy method for detecting trace molecules directly in complex samples. This technique uses special nanoparticles to enable rapid, on-site chemical analysis for applications like drug monitoring.

Area Of Science

Analytical Chemistry
Materials Science
Spectroscopy

Background

Detecting trace molecular species is vital for chemistry and biology.
Real-life samples present challenges for direct analysis due to their complexity.

Purpose Of The Study

To demonstrate a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic (SERS) approach for direct on-site detection and quantification of trace analytes.
To overcome the challenges of analyzing complex real-life samples.

Main Methods

Utilized multifunctional plasmonic films created via interfacial self-assembly.
Employed colloidal gold@Prussian blue (Au@PB) supraparticles as building blocks.
Leveraged 3D hot-spots within supraparticles for plasmonic enhancement and PB shell for molecular sieving and signal calibration.

Main Results

Achieved direct on-site detection and quantification of trace analytes in real-life samples.
Demonstrated the effectiveness of Au@PB supraparticles in enhancing Raman signals and ensuring selectivity.
Enabled identification and quantitation of weakly adsorbing targets using a portable Raman spectrometer.

Conclusions

The developed SERS approach enables rapid, on-site chemical analysis.
This method is suitable for analyzing biological and environmental samples.
Paves the way for applications such as therapeutic drug monitoring and environmental analysis.

Keywords:

SERS interface self-assembly multifunctional plasmonics pretreatment-free serum