Repository logo
 

A Highly Sensitive Chitosan-Based SERS Sensor for the Trace Detection of a Model Cationic Dye

Date

2024-08-28

Authors

Vafakish, Bahareh
Wilson, Lee

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

MDPI

ORCID

Type

Article

Degree Level

Abstract

The rapid detection of contaminants in water resources is vital for safeguarding the environment, where the use of eco-friendly materials for water monitoring technologies has become increasingly prioritized. In this context, the role of biocomposites in the development of a SERS sensor is reported in this study. Grafted chitosan was employed as a matrix support for Ag nanoparticles (NPs) for the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Chitosan (CS) was decorated with thiol and carboxylic acid groups by incorporating S-acetyl mercaptosuccinic anhydride (SAMSA) to yield CS-SAMSA. Then, Ag NPs were immobilized onto the CS-SAMSA (Ag@CS-SAMSA) and characterized by spectral methods (IR, Raman, NIR, solid state 13C NMR with CP-MAS, XPS, and TEM). Ag@CS-SAMSA was evaluated as a substrate for SERS, where methylene blue (MB) was used as a model dye adsorbate. The Ag@CS-SAMSA sensor demonstrated a high sensitivity (with an enhancement factor ca. 108) and reusability over three cycles, with acceptable reproducibility and storage stability. The Raman imaging revealed a large SERS effect, whereas the MB detection varied from 1–100 μM. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) of the biocomposite sensor were characterized, revealing properties that rival current state-of-the-art systems. The dye adsorption profiles were studied via SERS by fitting the isotherm results with the Hill model to yield the ΔG°ads for the adsorption process. This research demonstrates a sustainable dual-function biocomposite with tailored adsorption and sensing properties suitable for potential utility in advanced water treatment technology and environmental monitoring applications.

Description

The version of record of this article, first published in MDPI, is available online at Publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25179327

Keywords

surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), methylene blue, silver nanoparticles, chitosan, dye adsorption, structure–function relationships

Citation

Vafakish, B.; Wilson, L.D. A Highly Sensitive Chitosan-Based SERS Sensor for the Trace Detection of a Model Cationic Dye. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 9327. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25179327

Degree

Department

Program

Advisor

Committee

Part Of

item.page.relation.ispartofseries

DOI

10.3390/ijms25179327

item.page.identifier.pmid

item.page.identifier.pmcid

Collections