Recyclable Magnetic MIP-Based SERS Sensors for Selective, Sensitive, and Reliable Detection of Paclobutrazol Residues in Complex Environments

Abstract

In this work, a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based SERS sensor for selective, sensitive, quantitative, and recyclable detection of paclobutrazol residues in complex environments has been proposed. In this strategy, Fe3O4@SiO2–Au@Ag (FSAA) nanocomposites with tunable Au@Ag interparticle gaps are constructed. Then, by tuning the Au@Ag nanogaps and investigating the SERS enhancement mechanism of FSAA, we achieve the optimal SERS substrate, FSAA-40. After combining with MIPs, we can selectively detect paclobutrazol in soil with a detection limit of 0.075 μg/g. When the paclobutrazol concentration ranges from 0.075 to 12.75 μg/g, the SERS intensity shows a linear correlation, which opens the possibility for quantitative detection. Our magnetic MIP-based SERS sensor can be easily separated, efficiently recycled, and expanded to more universal environments, which demonstrates a promising future in food and environmental safety.

Towards practical and sustainable SERS: a review of recent developments in the construction of multifunctional enhancing substrates

“…This tedious process is not only unsuitable for in-field analysis, but also risks introducing contamination and dilutes the analyte. Although it has been demonstrated that colloidal dispersions or pastes of enhancing nanoparticles can be physically deposited onto complex sample surfaces for in-situ analysis, 75,76 this approach is unsuitable for analyzing precious samples, such as artworks, or samples where the spatial distribution of the analytes holds important information, such as forensic fingerprint samples. A more ideal approach for analyzing chemical compounds on complex surfaces with SERS is to use flexible enhancing substrates, which are typically composed of exposed enhancing nanoparticles sitting on the surface of flexible and robust polymeric substrate materials.…”

“…74 copyright 2016 The Royal Society of Chemistry and ref. 75, copyright 2020 American Chemical Society. cellulose and cotton, which are infused with plasmonic nanoparticles.…”

“…178 For example, Liu, Yang, et al designed a MIP-based magnetic SERS substrate for highly selective quantitative SERS analysis of paclobutrazol pesticide residues in complex environments. 75 As shown in Figure 12B, the SERS substrates were fabricated by assembling a uniform layer of Au@Ag nanoparticles with 12 nm interparticle spacing on the surface of Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 microparticles, which were then encapsulated within a layer of MIP to form the final (Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 -Au@Ag)@MIP (FSAA@MIP) microparticles. As shown in the inset of Figure 12B, transmission microscopy analysis of the FSAA@MIP microparticles revealed that the MIP was uniformly coated as a ~15 nm thick shell on the surface of the FSAA particles.…”

Self-sustainable and recyclable ternary Au@Cu2O–Ag nanocomposites: application in ultrasensitive SERS detection and highly efficient photocatalysis of organic dyes under visible light

“…In addition, a small number of hot spots were generated between the Cu 2 O shell and Ag nanocrystals. The SERS signal intensity is closely related to the number of hot spots in SERS substrates 38 . When the number of Ag nanocrystals on the Cu 2 O shell increased, the SERS signal intensity increased.…”

DNA-Induced Assembly of Silver Nanoparticle Decorated Cellulose Nanofiber: A Flexible Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Substrate for the Selective Charge Molecular Detection and Wipe Test of Pesticide Residues in Fruits

“…Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), as one of the most powerful detection tools in chemical , and biochemical analyses, has been arousing extensive attention for its high sensitivity, label-free, and fingerprint identification. , In addition, SERS is recognized as a simple, nondestructive and nonpretreatment method, so its application is prioritized for rapid on-site screening. For this reason, the synthesis of novel and efficient SERS substrates is critical to food safety assessment and environmental monitoring.…”