Insights in Analytical Electrochemistry Open Access

  • ISSN: 2470-9867
  • Journal h-index: 8
  • Journal CiteScore: 1.52
  • Journal Impact Factor: 1.49
  • Average acceptance to publication time (5-7 days)
  • Average article processing time (30-45 days) Less than 5 volumes 30 days
    8 - 9 volumes 40 days
    10 and more volumes 45 days

Hybrid flexible plasmonic SERS substrate with improved assemblage of Ag@SiO2 nanocubes on a miniaturized paper platform for detection of melamine

9th Edition of International Conference on Analytical Chemistry
March 26-28, 2018 Vienna, Austria

Menbere Leul Mekonnen

National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Insights in Analytical Electrochemistry

Abstract:

Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS), benefitted by its fingerprinting ability of molecules can be a reliable option for trace analysis in the food matrix. Since the sensitivity of a SERS method is highly dependent on the degree, to which the Raman signature is enhanced, fabrication substrate that could adequately amplify the local field through excitation of localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) is critical. Hence, control over the nanostructures morphology and improving their inter-particle distance is important for obtaining improved SERS activity. In addition, flexible platforms like paper offer the means for improving the nanostructures assemblage with ease of fabrication at low cost and improved sample collection efficiency. Here in, inexpensive, flexible paper-plasmonic hybrid SERS substrate is presented by loading Ag@SiO2 nanocubes on a miniaturized filter paper through vacuum filtration. The miniaturized sensing platform owes a reasonable distribution and inter-particle spacing of nanocubes. The fibrous structure of paper promotes the assemblage of sharp-edged nanostructures which significantly improve their distribution and SERS activity. The thin silica shell improved the stability and inter-particle spacing of silver nanocubes in the sensing platform, rendering enhanced SERS activity through plasmon-coupling effect as compared to a conventional rigid substrate. Assessment of analytical performances of the substrate for melamine quantification showed a good linearity (R2=0.9947) up to 1 mg/L with a limit of detection 0.06 mg/L. The detection limit in liquid milk was down to 0.17 mg/L, which is below the permissible. menberelm@gmail.com