Carbon
dots (C-dots) is a type of fluorescent nanomaterials with
excellent properties, which in combination with gold nanoparticles
(AuNPs) generate structures that can be applied in various fields
of science. This research developed a hybrid nanostructure between
C-dots and AuNPs using a layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly to increase
the surface-enhanced Raman scattering signals (SERS) for the detection
of Escherichia coli. The created nanostructure
was denoted as B@C-dots@AuNPs and proved by zeta potential, scanning
electron microscopy, and fluorescence assays. The results showed that
the introduction of AuNPs greatly enhanced the SERS signals of C-dots.
The relative intensities of peaks at 2873 and 3082 cm–1 could be used for the detection of bacterium concentration with
a detection limit of ca. 102 cfu/mL. In conclusion, an
easy, quick, low-cost, and nontoxic technique for the detection of
bacteria was developed through the coencapsulation of C-dots and AuNPs
over bacteria. The findings are envisaged to facilitate the application
of SERS in microbiology and related fields.