Preparation of Fe3O4@Ag SERS substrate and its application in environmental Cr(VI) analysis

Preparation of Fe3O4@Ag SERS substrate and its application in environmental Cr(VI) analysis: "Publication year: 2011
Source: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 20 February 2011
Jingjing, Du , Chuanyong, Jing
A novel sensitive and recyclable SERS substrate which can actively concentrate chromate (Cr(VI)) in water and substantially enhance Raman signal was synthesized as uniform Fe3O4@Ag nanoparticles. The surface morphology, structure, and magnetic properties were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry analysis. The closely spaced Fe3O4@Ag substrate with a core-shell structure exhibited a 25 nm surface roughness. The high saturation magnetization at 48.35 emu g-1 enabled the complete and rapid separation of the substrate from the solution. The sensitivity and reproducibility of the substrate were confirmed using a common...

Graphical abstract

Graphical abstract: The synthesized Fe3O4@Ag nanoparticles with an average of 27 nm particle size and 25 nm surface roughness could be used as active SERS substrates for Cr(VI) determination. Research highlights: ► A simple process was introduced to synthesize Fe3O4@Ag magnetic nanostructures as SERS substrates. ► The SERS substrate can actively adsorb and concentrate Cr(VI) in water and substantially enhance Raman signal. ► Qualitative and quantitative determination of Cr(VI) was achieved using a portable Raman spectrometer, which provided a potential technique for in-situ Cr(VI) determination.
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