Preparation of gold nanoparticles–agarose gel composite and its application in SERS detection

[Display omitted] •Nanocomposites of agarose gel embedded with gold nanoparticles were prepared.•Dynamic hot-spots were generated from the agarose gel contraction loss of water.•The nanocomposites were used successfully to detect Raman signal molecules.•Recycling of the nanocomposites could be achie...

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Published inSpectrochimica acta. Part A, Molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy Vol. 121; pp. 657 - 661
Main Authors Ma, Xiaoyuan, Xia, Yu, Ni, Lili, Song, Liangjing, Wang, Zhouping
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Elsevier B.V 05.03.2014
Subjects
Agarose gel
Gels - chemistry
Gold - chemistry
Gold nanoparticles
Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry
Metal Nanoparticles - ultrastructure
Nanocomposites
Sepharose - chemistry
SERS
Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
Spectrum Analysis, Raman - methods
Surface Properties
Agarose gel
Nanocomposites
SERS
Gold nanoparticles
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Summary:[Display omitted] •Nanocomposites of agarose gel embedded with gold nanoparticles were prepared.•Dynamic hot-spots were generated from the agarose gel contraction loss of water.•The nanocomposites were used successfully to detect Raman signal molecules.•Recycling of the nanocomposites could be achieved with washing solution. Agarose gel/gold nanoparticles hybrid was prepared by adding gold nanoparticles to preformed agarose gel. Nanocomposite structures and properties were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV–Vis–NIR absorption spectroscopy. Based on the swelling–contraction characteristics of agarose gel and the adjustable localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of the gold nanoparticles, the nanocomposites were used as surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate to detect the Raman signal molecules (NBA, MBA, 1NAT). Results revealed that the porous structure of the agarose gel provided a good carrier for the enrichment of the gold nanoparticles. The gold nanoparticles dynamic hot-spot effect arising from the agarose gel contraction loss of water in the air greatly enhanced the Raman signal. Furthermore, the gel could be cleaned with washing solution and recycling could be achieved for Raman detection.
ISSN:1386-1425
1873-3557
DOI:10.1016/j.saa.2013.11.111