Journal article
Detecting forensic substances using commercially available SERS substrates and handheld Raman spectrometers
Sensor Visions AB1
Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Technical University of Denmark2
Nanoprobes, Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Technical University of Denmark3
Center for Intelligent Drug Delivery and Sensing Using Microcontainers and Nanomechanics, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark4
Swedish Defense Research Agency5
Ultra-sensitive in-field measurements of most forensic substances still today remain a challenge for first responders and forensic investigators. Handheld Raman spectroscopy equipment is getting more and more routinely used in the field for evidence collection, however, restricted to measurements of pure or high concentration samples.
Here, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing of common forensic substances with commercially available SERS substrates and handheld spectrometers, have been investigated. 3D Finite Element Method (FEM) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulations were used to interpret the high SERS enhancement of the Ag nanopillar substrate and the detection of the substances, respectively.
The forensic generality and high performance of the analytical method were demonstrated by explicit detection of close to unprecedented amounts, down to femtograms, of Cyclosarin, RDX, Amphetamine and Picric acid. Implications are ultra-sensitive in-field SERS detection of these substances with commercial equipment.
Language: | English |
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Year: | 2018 |
Pages: | 649-652 |
ISSN: | 18733573 and 00399140 |
Types: | Journal article |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.talanta.2018.07.009 |
ORCIDs: | Wu, Kaiyu , Boisen, Anja and Rindzevicius, Tomas |