Process optimization for the synthesis of functionalized Au@AgNPs for specific detection of Hg based on quality by design (QbD)

• Published in: RSC advances Vol. 12; no. 15; pp. 9121 - 9129
• Main Authors: Zhang, Hui, Wang, Baoling, Liu, Xiaoyi, Zhang, Hongxu, Yao, Jiangyu, Gong, Xingchu, Yan, Jizhong
• Format: Journal Article
• Published: 23.03.2022
• ISSN: 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/d2ra01500e

The current study highlights the advantages of using the quality by design (QbD) approach to synthesise and optimize SERS substrates for the detection of Hg 2+ . Considering that the performance of Au@AgNPs is affected by many factors, Plackett-Burman (PB) experimental design was used to determine the critical process parameters (CPPs) for evaluating the performance of Au@AgNPs. The quantitative relationships between the CPPs and the critical quality attributes (CQAs) were assessed by Box-Behnken Design (BBD). The optimal design space for Au@AgNPs was calculated via a Monte Carlo algorithm. Finally, detection of Hg 2+ in the range of 1 ∼ 100 ng mL −1 ( R 2 = 0.9891) was achieved by SERS in combination with 4,4-bipyridine (Dpy) as signal molecules. The recoveries for licorice ranged from 83.53% to 92.96%. Specificity and practicality studies indicated that the method based on the QbD concept and design space not only met the optimal performance of Au@AgNPs but also improved the rapid detection of Hg 2+ in Chinese medicine samples. The current study highlights the advantages of using the quality by design (QbD) approach to synthesise and optimize SERS substrates for the detection of Hg 2+ .