Detection of trace carbendazim in agricultural products
or environment
is challenging but important for human health and environmental protection.
Developing a sensitive and recyclable surface-enhanced Raman scattering
(SERS) substrate is one of the effective methods to detect such pesticide
residues. In this work, we developed a facile method to fabricate
a three-dimensional cactus-like Ag nanoparticles/CuO/Cu2O nanocomposite (CACN) based on a galvanic replacement reaction between
Tollens’ reagent and Cu foam. This design combined the Raman
enhancement effect and photocatalytic activity, providing a multifunctional
and reusable substrate for highly sensitive SERS detection. It was
found that the enhancement and photocatalysis of the CACN substrate
were closely related to the concentration of Tollens’ reagent,
and the 10-CACN substrate (prepared at 10 mM) demonstrated excellent
sensitivity, reproducibility, and recyclability. The substrate was
successfully applied for the detection of carbendazim solution with
a detection limit of 1.5 × 10–10 M and could
be reused up to 7 times. More importantly, the substrate can be employed
for the detection of trace carbendazim in real apple peels with a
detection limit of ∼8.5 × 10–4 ppm,
which is far below that of 2.0 × 10–1 ppm suggested
by China, United Kingdom, and European Union. These results suggest
that the facile fabrication method and the excellent substrate would
facilitate the SERS technology closer to practical application in
the detection of pesticide residues.
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