Gravure printed paper based substrate for detection of heavy metals using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)

摘要

A novel paper based surface enhancemed Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate was fabricated by gravure printing single and double layers of silver nanoparticle (NP) ink, with a particle size of ～20-50 nm, as metallization layer on a paper from Mitsubishi (NB-RC3GR120). The capability of the SERS substrate for detection of toxic heavy metal compounds such as mercury sulfide (HgS) was demonstrated. The SERS based response of the printed substrate produced an enhanced Raman signal when compared to target molecules adsorbed on bare paper. An enhancement factor of five orders of magnitude, due to existence of hot spots between NP, was obtained. In addition, the effect of bending of the flexible paper substrate on the intensity of the Raman spectrum was also investigated. An enhancement of 500 % in the intensity of Raman spectra was obtained for a bending of 70°. The SERS based response of the printed substrate is analyzed and presented in this paper.