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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Detection Methods Nanoplastics Sign in to save

Detection of nanoplastics through low-cost SERS substrates, based on 3D islands of aggregated gold nanoparticles on aluminum foil, for wide ranging applications

2024
Aisha Bibi, James Tate, Udit Pant, D. Hill, Cuong Cao

Summary

Researchers developed a low-cost surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate by combining aluminium foil with 3D aggregates of gold nanoparticles stabilised by cucurbit[5]uril, enabling sensitive nanoplastic detection through plasmonic coupling. The substrate achieved trace-level analyte detection and offers a practical, scalable approach for nanoplastic identification across a wide range of environmental and analytical applications.

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful analytical technique that can detect trace quantities of analyte. However, fabricating cost–effective and homogeneous SERS substrates for diverse applications remains a significant challenge. Herein, a simple bottom-up technique is reported for developing a unique SERS substrate by exploiting the plasmonic coupling of low-cost aluminium foil (ALF) and 3-dimensional (3D) gold nanoparticle aggregates induced by cucurbit[5]uril (CB[5]) .

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