Capabilities of Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Identifying Multiple Pigments in a Complex Organic Mixture

Abstract

The authors propose a way of identifying the composition of paints by means of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy using signal-amplifying substrates with arrays of vertically standing silver nanowires. A model tempera paint based on egg white with inorganic pigments (red lead, massicot, and emerald green) is used to show that with a reduced concentration of pigment, substrates can greatly improve sensitivity when detecting pigments in lower concentrations up to 0.01 g, compared to signals from the Raman scattering of light on foil. Reinforcing substrates allows the sensitivity of the technique to be improved in order to accurately identify components used individually and in mixtures.