In this paper, we conducted a study to develop SERS active substrates based on Ag-Au bimetallic hollow nanoplates for ultrasensitive detection of organic dyes (crystal violet and methylene blue). Compared with Raman activity of Ag-Au hollow nanoplates...
In this paper, we conducted a study to develop SERS active substrates based on Ag-Au bimetallic hollow nanoplates for ultrasensitive detection of organic dyes (crystal violet and methylene blue). Compared with Raman activity of Ag-Au hollow nanoplates in solution, the solid-state demonstrated the superior performance and chemical sensor was developed by integrating NP onto a SERS solid substrate. Silver NP were first prepared using NaBH4 as a reducing agent, and then PVP was capped to produce a triangular plate-shaped Ag nanoplates. The PVP-capped Ag triangular nanoplates (Ag TNPs) showed higher Raman activity toward crystal violet than individual Ag or Au NPs, indicating that more hot spots were formed on the TNPs. Ag NPs exhibit low stability but high Raman activity, whereas Au NPs show high stability with relatively low Raman activity. Thus, Ag-Au hollow nanoplates (Ag-Au HNPs) was Fabricated via galvanic replacement of Ag TNPs with Au precursors, which combines high Raman activity and enhanced stability. Consequently, the SERS signal can be amplified by randomly placing Ag and Au clusters to generate plasmon resonance at various wavelengths. In addition, electron clouds formed-on the inner and outer surfaces of the hollow nanostructure further, enhance the Raman signal. Thus, Ag-Au HNPs the highest Raman signals among the as-prepared samples (Ag NPs, Au NPs, Ag TNPs) detecting crystal violet (CV) in solution down to the picomolar (pM) level. The SERS-active solid substrate was developed by utilizing Ag-Au HNPs, which exhibited the most enhanced Raman signals. Poly dopamine and Poly ethylene imine were used to attach nanoplates onto glass substrates and form, more stable hot spots, and electroless deposition (ELD) was applied to produce substrates with a more uniform surface with plenty of hot spots. After that, the Raman spectra were measured after dropping the target analytes onto the substrate. The Solid substrates exhibited high sensitivity than the liquid-satate system due to further improved Raman signals, enabling detection down to the sub-femto-molar (fM) level. The SERS-active solid substrates based on Ag-Au HNPs can detect organic dyes such as crystal violet and methylene blue even at a ultra trace level.