Dual-mode flexible surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy-based smart tape for thiram and thiabendazole detection

Pesticide residue contamination poses a significant threat to food safety and public health, necessitating the development of rapid and accurate on-site detection technologies. Herein, we report a flexible surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based tape fabricated through a three-phase liquid interface self-assembly approach, which integrates a paper-based substrate with uniformly deposited silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and a commercially available adhesive tape. The developed platform demonstrates high sensitivity for two commonly used pesticides - thiram and thiabendazole (TBZ), with detection limits substantially lower than the national maximum residue limits (MRLs). The pre-immobilization of AgNPs on the paper matrix effectively addresses the nanoparticle detachment issue inherent to conventional tape-based methods. Using portable Raman spectrometers, the system features two operational modes: (1) a "paste-and-peel" mode for non-destructive sampling of pesticide residues from fruit/vegetable surfaces, and (2) a direct-drop mode for rapid analysis of liquid samples such as fruit juices. This work presents a reliable tool for on-site monitoring of agricultural product safety and demonstrates promising potential for food safety applications.