Novel Applications of Micro/Nanostructured Volcanic Ash for Water Purification and Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Abstract

Volcanic ash is frequently referenced as natural particles, yet few applications for wastewater purification and surface enhanced Raman scattering have been reported. Here, a unique micro/nano structured nozzle-shaped volcanic ash was characterized. The natural volcanic ash had an ordered porous structure with an average diameter of 20 μm. Macropores with 200 nm pores size and 3 to 5 nm mesopores were homogeneously distributed on the surface of the volcanic ash. The volcanic ash provided an efficient water purification for simulated dye and livestock wastewater. The volcanic ash/silver nanoparticle hybrid also exhibited strong surface Downloaded by [University of Exeter] at 07:31 06 June 2016 2 enhanced Raman scattering. Moreover, the differing adsorption sequence of silver nanoparticles and probes on the surface of volcanic ash created distinctive enhancements. The micro/nano structured volcanic ash was shown to be a promising water-purifying agent and platform for surface enhanced Raman scattering in environmental monitoring.

Selective SERS Detection of TATB Explosives Based on Hydroxy-Terminal Nanodiamond-Multilayer Graphene Substrate

“…However, the construction of a specific charge transfer pathway between the carbon substrate and target explosive molecules has not been sufficiently considered in the current research. Especially, the stability and reproducibility of carbon-based materials − are also their major advantages as SERS substrates. Jiang et al developed a simple method for preparing an efficient and stable SERS substrate by combining Ag nanoparticles (NPs) and microscale sheeted graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ), and the EF of crystal violet (CV) is 4.6 × 10 8 .…”