Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) investigation and sensitive detection of zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO Nrds) deposited on silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) substrate

We reported a simple method to fabricate SERS active substrate composed of Ag NPs where ZnO Nrds was chosen as the probe molecule. Ag NPs and ZnO Nrds were synthesized separately by polyol and hydrothermal method, respectively. Subsequently, we have deposited a roughened surface made of Ag NPs on glass by spin coating. Morphology, phase composition and optical properties of Ag NPs and ZnO Nrds are characterized by Transition Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction XRD, Raman and Uv–vis Spectroscopy. An amplification of the SERS intensity by an order more than 4.5 times was observed. The responses demonstrated the capability of Ag NPs SERS substrate to be used for detection of heavy metal oxide compounds. Due to the formation of interfacial electric field between Ag NPs and ZnO Nrds, the mechanism of SERS enhancement was discussed.
Source: Materials Letters - Category: Materials Science Source Type: research