Capillary Integrated SERS System Inspired by Bee-Hive Bionics: Enabling Dynamic Multi-Component Detection of Trace...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biomolecular Sensing
• Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)

Background:

• Current trace biomolecular detection methods face challenges with sample processing and dynamic monitoring.
• There is a need for sensitive, stable, and integrated sensing platforms for complex environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel Ag-Au Bee-Hive Cavity (BHC) array SERS substrate inspired by bionic synergy.
• To enhance detection sensitivity, stability, and dynamic monitoring capabilities for trace biomolecules.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an Ag-Au BHC array substrate integrating solid stability with nanoparticle adaptability.
• Utilizing gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) as enhancement units within the BHC framework.
• Integration of the SERS substrate with capillary glass tubing for in situ detection.

Main Results:

• The Ag-Au BHC array achieved a detection limit of 10^-14 M for Rhodamine 6G (R6G).
• Synergy with Au NPs improved the detection limit to an ultrasensitive 10^-16 M.
• The substrate demonstrated excellent stability under bending/tilting and enabled continuous dynamic monitoring at flow rates up to 1 mL/s.

Conclusions:

• The bionic Ag-Au BHC array SERS substrate offers a high-performance platform for trace biomolecular detection.
• The integrated device provides a solution for rapid, in situ, and dynamic analysis of biomolecules in complex settings.
• This work advances the development of integrated bionic sensing platforms.