Surface-enhanced
Raman scattering (SERS) has attracted widespread
attention because of its high sensitivity and label-free detection
capabilities. Here, chitosan aerogels decorated with Ag nanoparticles
(CAA) are used as a three-dimensional (3D) SERS substrate to achieve
ultrasensitive detection. The CAA produces a high specific surface
area and high porosity, which generates numerous hot spots and adsorption
sites for SERS. With crystal violet as a probe molecule, a SERS enhancement
factor of 1.4 × 109 was realized, with a detection
limit of 10–13 M. Furthermore, quantitative detection
in the 10–5–10–10 M range
and good reproducibility were achieved. This work proposes a cost-effective
aerogel-based SERS substrate with high sensitivity and reproducibility.
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