On‐site detection of phosgene agents by surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy coupled with a chemical transformation approach

Abstract

Phosgene and its analogs are greatly harmful to the public health, environmental safety and homeland security as widely used industrial substances with extremely high toxicity. In order to rapidly evaluate the emergency risk caused by these chemicals, a new highly sensitive method based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technique for measurement of phosgene agents was developed for the first time. Coupled with a chemical transformation approach, the highly toxic phosgene was conveniently converted to a SERS-sensitive probe, i.e. iodine (I 2 ), with low toxicity or non-toxicity. The characteristic SERS peak in 459 cm À1 was used for quantitation and was presumed as a formation of triiodide anion (I 3 À ), which was induced in an iodide (I À )-aggregation Au NPs system. The total measurement can be completed in~20 min with the limits of detection of~60 μg/l (phosgene) and~30 μg/l (diphosgene), respectively, on a portable Raman spectrometer. This work is the first report of SERS measurement on phosgene and diphosgene in a quantitative level. This method is expected to meet the requirements of on-site detection of phosgene agents, promote emergency responses and raise more opportunities for the portable SERS applications.

Recent advances in linear and non‐linear Raman spectroscopy. Part XI

“…Gao et al demonstrated the on‐site detection of phosgene agents by SERS coupled with a chemical transformation approach. This work is the first report of SERS measurement on phosgene and diphosgene at a quantitative level . Gu and Lu described Raman mode‐selective spectroscopic imaging of coenzyme and enzyme redox states of FMN nitric oxide synthase using SERS, and they demonstrated consistency with the results of spectral calculations using DFT .…”

“…This work is the first report of SERS measurement on phosgene and diphosgene at a quantitative level. [30] Gu and Lu described Raman mode-selective spectroscopic imaging of coenzyme and enzyme redox states of FMN nitric oxide synthase using SERS, and they demonstrated consistency with the results of spectral calculations using DFT. [31] Hernandez et al used SERS to study the anti-inflammatory drug piroxicam adsorbed on the surface of silver or gold colloids as nanocarrier model.…”

Review of Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Applications in Forensic Science

“…Taranenko and co-workers reported the analysis of nerve agents dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP, a sarin derivative) and diisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP) using silver electrodes . A dosimeter was developed for the rapid detection of chemicals without the need for sample collection and extraction. , Gao et al proposed a chemical transformation of phosgene agents into the less toxic iodine (I 2 ) respecting stoichiometric proportions, followed by quantitation by silver nanoparticles SERS …”

“…211,213 Gao et al proposed a chemical transformation of phosgene agents into the less toxic iodine (I 2 ) respecting stoichiometric proportions, followed by quantitation by silver nanoparticles SERS. 214 Fire Accelerants. Fire debris detection and analysis presents a challenge on fire scenes due to the extreme degradation and temperatures that occurred.…”

On‐site detection of succinylcholine in biomedical matrix by surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy

“…Herein, we developed a new surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) method to address the analytical problems and realized a rapid and highly sensitive detection on SUX to meet the demand of first aid, emergency response, and forensic investigation. The application of SERS techniques in rapid, on-site detection of clinical common toxicants is increased rapidly, for example, directed detection on hydrogen cyanide, [17] amphetamine, [18] codeine, [19] and paraquat, [20] and indirect detection on organophosphorus pesticide [21] and phosgene [22] by the chemical transformation approach. The goal of this work is to achieve highly sensitive and selective SERS measurement of SUX in aqueous solution, as well as in plasma and urine.…”