Self-Assembly of Au Nanoparticles on PMMA Template as Flexible, Transparent, and Highly Active SERS Substrates

Abstract

We report a simple and rapid method for fabricating a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate, which offers good flexibility, excellent optical transparency, and high SERS activity. Specifically, the SERS substrate (AuNPs/PMMA film) was obtained through self-assembly of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on newborn poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) template. The UV-vis spectroscopy analysis and scanning electron microscopy observation revealed that the gold nanoparticles were closely assembled on the flexible and transparent PMMA template. The fabricated AuNPs/PMMA film SERS substrate allowed detection of model molecule, malachite green isothiocyanate, at a concentration as low as 0.1 nM, and exhibited good reproducibility in the SERS measurement. The Raman enhancement factor (EF) of the AuNPs/PMMA film was found to be as high as (2.4 ± 0.3) × 10(7). In addition, measure of residual malachite green on fish surface was carried out, and the result indicated that the AuNPs/PMMA film had great potential in the in situ ultrasensitive detection of analyte on irregular objects.

Role of Cross-Linking Process on the Performance of PMMA

“…It is a multipurpose amorphous thermoplastic polymer that is widely used in optic-electronic instruments like: surface boosted Raman scattering substrates [1], lightweight window [2], solar cells [3] , light-emitting diode [4] and battery [5] because of its significant characteristics such as: its exceptional optical transparency, low-priced, mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and tremendous electrical [6]. Also, PMMA is used commonly in electronic, surgical and dental supplies, as it is characterized by its resistance to several inorganic reagents, acidic and alkaline solutions, non-polar solvents, and aliphatic hydrocarbons [7,8].…”

Fabrication of Non-woven Fabric-Based SERS Substrate for Direct Detection of Pesticide Residues in Fruits

“…Surface enhance Raman scattering (SERS) has been applied in many fields, such as biotechnology, homeland security, and food safety due to its non-destructive and highly sensitive characteristic features [9][10][11][12][13]. Other than optimizing the sizes, shapes and components of noble metallic nanoparticles (typically, silver or gold) [13][14][15][16][17][18], the design of ideal SERS substrate with the capability to extract target from complex matrix more efficient has become a commonly used way to improve the Raman signals [12,[19][20][21][22][23][24].…”

“…Recently, the emerging flexible substrate materials have provided an effective way for the target analyte collection. Up to now, polymer, paper and cotton have been used as flexible SERS substrates [20,[27][28][29][30]. These substrates could be applied to swab the complex surface of diverse actual analytes (swab sampling) for convenient and effective SERS detection.…”

Assembly of metal nanoparticles on regenerated fibers from wood sawdust and de-inked pulp: flexible substrates for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) applications

“…Therefore, it is necessary to develop active SERS substrates on flexible templates capable of providing SERS detection of targets on objects with diverse morphologies and with good storage stability. Flexible materials such as fibers, paper, polymer films and graphene are often used for immobilizing nanoparticles and to fabricate flexible SERS substrates (Kim et al 2009;Lee et al 2011;Marques et al 2008;Ngo et al 2012;Tang et al 2013;Wei and White 2013;Xu and Wang 2009;Xu et al 2012;Zhang et al 2012;Zhong et al 2014). Zhang et al (2012) and Tang et al (2013) used gold nanorods, along with polycaprolactone and polyvinylalcohol nanofibers to fabricate flexible SERS substrates.…”