Development of a headspace solid‐phase microextraction–surface‐enhanced Raman scattering approach to detect volatile pesticides

Abstract

By coupling headspace solid‐phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) with surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), a facile and rapid method was developed for the detection of organophosphorus insecticides (phorate and isocarbophos) and organic sulfur bactericide (ferbam) in the vapour phase. Two types of SPME fibres based on stainless steel wires coated with gold (Au) nanoparticles were prepared. The fibre (Fibre II) prepared by an etching approach showed better sensitivity than did the fibre (Fibre I) prepared using a layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly method. The Raman spectra of phorate, isocarbophos, and ferbam obtained from Fibre II showed stronger and clearer characteristic peaks compared with those from Fibre I, at 634, 1,043, and 1,380 cm−1, respectively. It was found that the Raman intensity of phorate adsorbed on the Fibre II was nearly three times as high as that on Fibre I at 634 cm−1, whereas the Raman intensity of isocarbophos was around 10 times at 1,043 cm−1 and ferbam was approximately four times at 1,380 cm−1. Using Fibre II, we were able to detect vapour‐phase phorate, isocarbophos, and ferbam at concentrations as low as 0.02, 0.02, and 0.05 ppm, respectively, as well as their mixture. This approach can be simply extended to detect a wide range of volatile organic compounds and shows potential as an easier and faster alternative to gas chromatography methods for studying volatile chemicals in some cases.

Rapid and sensitive detection of pesticide residues using dynamic surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy

“…The main characteristic vibration bands of tricyclazole stem from the C‐N‐C bending (429 cm −1 ), C‐C bending (561 cm −1 ), C‐S‐C bending (595 cm −1 ), C=C stretching (974 cm −1 ), and C‐N stretching (1,310 cm −1 and 1,374 cm −1 ), respectively . The major characteristic bands of isocarbophos at wavenumber of 850 cm −1 and 1,041 cm −1 are attributed to P=S stretching and ortho‐substituted benzene ring stretching …”

Recent advances in linear and nonlinear Raman spectroscopy. Part XIV

“…This newly designed approach may greatly improve the practical application of SERS detection in environmental monitoring, medicine, and food safety, especially in resource‐limited environments. Wang et al [ 24 ] reported development of a headspace solid‐phase microextraction‐SERS approach to detect volatile pesticides. They found that their approach can be extended to detect a wide range of volatile organics and shows potential as an easier and faster alternative to gas chromatography for studying volatile chemicals in some cases.…”

SERS Approach to Probe the Adsorption Process of Trace Volatile Benzaldehyde on Layered Double Hydroxide Material

“…23 By coupling with pretreatment equipment such as headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), Wang et al developed a SERS method to detect three vapor-phase pesticides as low as 0.02 ppm. 24 However, these approaches still have the problems of tedious and time-consuming procedures, which may be not suitable for rapid screening and field detecting. An alternative approach to achieve SERS detection for gaseous samples is to utilize nanoporous material substrates 25 or to coat a sorptive shell like MOFs 26 on the surface of the nanoparticles.…”

“…−80 °C) for enhancing the adsorption of target molecules on the SERS substrate . By coupling with pretreatment equipment such as headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), Wang et al developed a SERS method to detect three vapor-phase pesticides as low as 0.02 ppm . However, these approaches still have the problems of tedious and time-consuming procedures, which may be not suitable for rapid screening and field detecting.…”