Journal article
Detection of nerve gases using surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrates with high droplet adhesion
Chalmers University of Technology1
Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Technical University of Denmark2
Nanoprobes, Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Technical University of Denmark3
Swedish Defence Research Agency4
Center for Intelligent Drug Delivery and Sensing Using Microcontainers and Nanomechanics, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark5
Threats from chemical warfare agents, commonly known as nerve gases, constitute a serious security issue of increasing global concern because of surging terrorist activity worldwide. However, nerve gases are difficult to detect using current analytical tools and outside dedicated laboratories. Here we demonstrate that surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) can be used for sensitive detection of femtomol quantities of two nerve gases, VX and Tabun, using a handheld Raman device and SERS substrates consisting of flexible gold-covered Si nanopillars.
The substrate surface exhibits high droplet adhesion and nanopillar clustering due to elasto-capillary forces, resulting in enrichment of target molecules in plasmonic hot-spots with high Raman enhancement. The results may pave the way for strategic life-saving SERS detection of chemical warfare agents in the field.
Language: | English |
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Year: | 2016 |
Pages: | 1305-1308 |
ISSN: | 20403372 and 20403364 |
Types: | Journal article |
DOI: | 10.1039/c5nr06524k |
ORCIDs: | Rindzevicius, Tomas and Boisen, Anja |