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We demonstrate here a novel high surface area GaN nanowall network substrate with plasmonic Ag nanodroplets, that can be employed as a highly sensitive, reproducible, and charge independent SERS substrate. The uniformity of the size and distribution of the Ag droplets and the absence of linker ligands result in large near-field intensity, while the GaN nanowall network morphology provides multiple reflections for signal enhancement. FDTD calculations simulate the observed hot-spot distribution and reiterate the higher performance of this hybrid substrate over conventional ones. Our studies on oppositely charged proteins provide a proof of concept for employing this as a versatile charge independent label free SERS substrate for trace biomolecule detection.

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The distribution of modified and unmodified nanoclays inside the rubber phases of immiscible rubber-rubber blends composed of nonpolar-polar natural rubber (NR)/epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and nonpolar-nonpolar NR/polybutadiene rubber (BR) was investigated for the first time. The distribution of clays at various loadings in the blends was calculated from the viscoelastic properties of the blends. For example, in the 50 : 50 NR/ ENR blend, 42% Cloisite 30B migrated to the NR phase, and 58% went to the ENR phase. However, in the same blend, only 7% Cloisite Na þ was found in the NR phase, and 93% was found in the ENR phase. Again, in the 50 : 50 NR/BR blends, the NR phase contained 85% Cloisite 30B, whereas 55% Cloisite Na þ migrated to the NR phase. All these observations were explained with the help of viscosity, X-ray diffraction, and morphology analyses. The effect of the distribution of the clay on the mechanical properties was also discussed.

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