Highly-Sensitive Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)-based Chemical Sensor using 3D Graphene Foam Decorated with Silver Nanoparticles as SERS substrate
Highly-Sensitive Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)-based Chemical Sensor using 3D Graphene Foam Decorated with Silver Nanoparticles as SERS substrate
Author
Srichan C, Ekpanyapong M, Horprathum M, Eiamchai P, Nuntawong N, Phokharatkul D, Danvirutai P, Bohez E, Wisitsoraat A, Tuantranont A
Asian Institute of Technology; Khon Kaen University; National Science & Technology Development Agency - Thailand; National Electronics & Computer Technology Center (NECTEC)
Type
Article
Source Title
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
ISSN
2045-2322
Year
2016
Volume
6
Page
-
Open Access
Green Published, gold
Publisher
NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
DOI
10.1038/srep23733
Format
PDF
Abstract
In this work, a novel platform for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based chemical sensors utilizing three-dimensional microporous graphene foam (GF) decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is developed and applied for methylene blue (MB) detection. The results demonstrate that silver nanoparticles significantly enhance cascaded amplification of SERS effect on multilayer graphene foam (GF). The enhancement factor of AgNPs/GF sensor is found to be four orders of magnitude larger than that of AgNPs/Si substrate. In addition, the sensitivity of the sensor could be tuned by controlling the size of silver nanoparticles. The highest SERS enhancement factor of similar to 5 x 10(4) is achieved at the optimal nanoparticle size of 50 nm. Moreover, the sensor is capable of detecting MB over broad concentration ranges from 1 nM to 100 mu M. Therefore, AgNPs/GF is a highly promising SERS substrate for detection of chemical substances with ultra-low concentrations.
