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Plasmon Enhanced Universal SERS Detection of Hierarchical Plastics by 3D Plasmonic Funnel Metastructure
Summary
Researchers developed a 3D plasmonic nanostructure — a specialized surface covered in densely packed gold nanocones — that can detect microplastics and nanoplastics in water at extremely low concentrations using a technique called surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The device achieved detection limits as low as 10 nanograms per liter and could simultaneously identify plastics ranging from 30 nanometers to several micrometers. This kind of ultrasensitive, versatile sensor addresses a major gap: current detection tools struggle with the smallest plastic particles, which are also the most biologically concerning. The approach could support both environmental monitoring and research into nanoplastic behavior.
Plasmonic nanostructures have aroused tremendous excitement in extreme light matter interactions because of efficient light harvesting and nanometer field concentration, ideal for solar thermal conversion, photocatalysis, photodetection, etc. Here a 3D self-assembled plasmonic nanostructure is reported for ultrasensitive SERS detection of hierarchical micro-nano plastic pollutants ranging from 30 nm to microns by rationally integrating high density of both surface and volumetric hot spots into one structure, enabled by V-shaped close-packed bi-metallic nanoparticles with massive nanovoids across transverse and longitudinal areas. The unique bi-metallic structure of hollow nanocones can enable an enhancement factor up to 1.1 × 108 as well as self-built enrichment of targeting hierarchical analytes toward the size-matched hot spot areas, resulting in not only race detection of micro-nano plastics with concentration down to 10-8 g L-1 but also universal adaptability to simultaneous detection of a broad range of pollutants beyond micro-nano plastics. The results offer a practical solution for trace detection of hierarchical micro-nano plastics and other mixed aqueous pollutants, demonstrating considerable potential for combating water pollution.
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