High performance and recyclable Au–Ag/TiO2/PS substrate for the detection of organic pollutants
Source abstract
Abstract
Abstract A highly sensitive and recyclable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate was successfully fabricated through in situ reduction of bimetallic gold-silver nanoparticles (Au-Ag NPs) on vertically aligned titanium dioxide nanorods (TiO 2 NRs) grown on porous silicon (PS). The as-prepared Au-Ag/TiO 2 /PS substrate demonstrated exceptional SERS performance for the detection of crystal violet (CV), reaching a low detection limit (LOD) of 10 − 11 M and a high enhancement factor (EF) of 1.74×10 7 . This superior performance can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the appropriately sized Au-Ag NPs with nanoscale interparticle gaps that generate intense localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), as well as the large surface area of PS, which facilitates analyte enrichment. Moreover, the substrate exhibited excellent photocatalytic self-cleaning capability under UV irradiation. The rapid generation of non-equilibrium carriers within the TiO 2 NRs, the directional transfer and efficient charge separation at the Au-Ag/TiO 2 Schottky junction, together with the abundant active sites on PS, collectively contribute to the effective degradation of adsorbed CV molecules. Notably, the substrate maintains excellent recyclability and stability even after five consecutive cycles. These findings offer valuable insights for the design of multifunctional SERS platforms for the detection and degradation of organic pollutants.
Source: openaire · Quality: candidate unverified · Source record ↗
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis and Applications · Advanced Nanomaterials in Catalysis · TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (50)
Show source-provided references
1. Guo Z, Kodikara D, Albi LS, Hatano Y, Chen G, Yoshimura C, Wang J (2023) Photodegradation of organic micropollutants in aquatic environment: importance, factors and processes. Water Res 231:118236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2022.11823610.1016/j.watres.2022.118236 ↗
2. Kim J, Campbell AS, de Ávila BE-F, Wang J (2019) Wearable biosensors for healthcare monitoring. Nat Biotechnol 37:389–40610.1038/s41587-019-0045-y ↗
3. Javan K, Darestani M, Ibrar I, Pignatta G (2025) Interrelated issues within the water-energy-food nexus with a focus on environmental pollution for sustainable development: a review. Environ Pollut 368:125706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2025.12570610.1016/j.envpol.2025.125706 ↗
4. AbdelJawad N, Nagy I (2023) The impacts of urban sprawl on environmental pollution, agriculture, and energy consumption: evidence from Amman City, Environmental & Social Management Journal/Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental 1710.24857/rgsa.v17n2-010 ↗
5. Dulta K, Shankdhar D, Bhardwaj V, Bhardwaj N, Peter L, Aman J, Nagraik R, Ravi K, Sharma A (2025) Microplastic: from marine pollution to the human food chain. Food Biosci 73:107613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2025.10761310.1016/j.fbio.2025.107613 ↗
6. Liu H, Jiang L, Huang S, Niu J, Zhang Y, Liao J, Dong G, Song D, Zhou Q (2025) Metal-organic framework functionalized magnetic Nb2CTX for high enrichment of polychlorinated biphenyls in water prior to gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 1740:465560. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2024.46556010.1016/j.chroma.2024.465560 ↗
7. Phan K, Afifiyan N, Li L, Soto O, Juma T, Otim O (2024) Nitrogen can substitute helium as a mobile phase in the analysis of wastewater treatment matrices for persistent organic pollutants by gas chromatography – electron capture detection system. J Chromatogr A 1728:465018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2024.46501810.1016/j.chroma.2024.465018 ↗
8. Chen B, An L, Li F, Tang Y (2024) Profiling organic pollutants in environmental water by dansylation-based non-targeted liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry analysis. Can J Chem 102:581–588. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjc-2024-001310.1139/cjc-2024-0013 ↗
9. Schreiber L, Michalides NM, Sosa-Ferrera Z, Santana-Rodríguez JJ (2024) Enhancing the determination of European Union watch list organic pollutants adsorbed on microplastic debris by single-step ultrasound-assisted extraction coupled with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Microchem J 207:111987. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2024.11198710.1016/j.microc.2024.111987 ↗
10. Zheng J, Zhang S, Luo W, Yang Q, Qin R, Tang B, Zhang Y, Xia X, Luo X, Mai B, Yu Y (2024) Tracing semi-quantitatively the absorption and removal of organic pollutants in human hair based on secondary ion mass spectrometry. J Hazard Mater 477:135278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.13527810.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135278 ↗
11. Zhang J, Zhou Z, Hu B (2025) Onsite environmental analysis by portable mass spectrometry. TrAC Trends Anal Chem 193:118461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2025.11846110.1016/j.trac.2025.118461 ↗
12. Gao R, Choi N, Chang S-I, Kang SH, Song JM, Cho SI, Lim DW, Choo J (2010) Highly sensitive trace analysis of paraquat using a surface-enhanced Raman scattering microdroplet sensor. Anal Chim Acta 681:87–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2010.09.03610.1016/j.aca.2010.09.036 ↗
13. Kamal S, Yang TC-K (2022) Silver enriched silver phosphate microcubes as an efficient recyclable SERS substrate for the detection of heavy metal ions. J Colloid Interface Sci 605:173–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2021.07.08410.1016/j.jcis.2021.07.084 ↗
14. Fan M, Brolo A (2009) Silver nanoparticles self assembly as SERS substrates with near single molecule detection limit. Phys Chem Chem Phys 11:7381–738910.1039/b904744a ↗
15. Du W, Wei S, Li N, Hao Z, Li Y, Wang M (2024) Highly sensitive fiber optic enhanced Raman scattering sensor. Opt Laser Technol 168:109879. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optlastec.2023.10987910.1016/j.optlastec.2023.109879 ↗
16. Pérez-Jiménez AI, Lyu D, Lu Z, Liu G, Ren B (2020) Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy: benefits, trade-offs and future developments. Chem Sci 11:4563–457710.1039/D0SC00809E ↗
17. Wen X, Li J (2023) Synthesis of recyclable SERS platform based on magnetic Fe3O4/mTiO2/Ag composites for photodegradation and identification of organic pollutants in different water samples. Vib Spectrosc 129:103600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vibspec.2023.10360010.1016/j.vibspec.2023.103600 ↗
18. Feizpour M, Liu Q, Van der Donck T, Thienpont H, Meulebroeck W, Ottevaere H (2024) Characterizing planar SERS substrates: unraveling the link between physical characteristics and performance metrics. J Phys Photonics 6:12. https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7647/ad2528.10.1088/2515-7647/ad2528 ↗
19. Kumar S, Gahlaut SK, Singh JP (2022) Sculptured thin films: overcoming the limitations of surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrates. Appl Surf Sci Adv 12:2610.1016/j.apsadv.2022.100322 ↗
20. Li JJ, Xu DP, Wang ZX, Zhang T (2023) Research progress on enhancement mechanism of surface-enhanced Raman scattering of nanomaterials. Spectrosc Spectr Anal 43:1340–1350
21. Naqvi TK, Bajpai A, Bharati MSS, Kulkarni MM, Siddiqui AM, Soma VR, Dwivedi PK (2021) Ultra-sensitive reusable SERS sensor for multiple hazardous materials detection on single platform. J Hazard Mater 407:124353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.12435310.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124353 ↗
22. Feng Z, Jia Y, Cui H (2024) Engineering the surface roughness of the gold nanoparticles for the modulation of LSPR and SERS. J Colloid Interface Sci 672:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2024.05.21710.1016/j.jcis.2024.05.217 ↗
23. Zhou L, Wen X, Min Y, He J, You L, Li J (2022) Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy based on Ag@mZrO2@Ag nanocomposites: sensing and photocatalytic reduction of chromium(VI). J Mol Liq 368:120749. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2022.12074910.1016/j.molliq.2022.120749 ↗
24. Zou B, Lv K, Xu J, Feng S, Zhang G (2025) High-sensitivity SERS based on one-dimensional TiO2/Ag nanowires. Phys B Condens Matter 702:416992. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physb.2025.41699210.1016/j.physb.2025.416992 ↗
25. Song X, You X, Ren X, Zhang X, Tang D, Li X (2023) Vertically aligned Ag-decorated MoS2 nanosheets supported on polyvinyl alcohol flexible substrate enable high-sensitivity and self-cleaning SERS devices. J Environ Chem Eng 11:109437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2023.10943710.1016/j.jece.2023.109437 ↗
26. Tan Z, Zhu C, Han L, Liao X, Wang C (2022) SERS and dark-field scattering dual-mode detection of intracellular hydrogen peroxide using biocompatible Au@COF nanosensor. Sens Actuators B Chem 373:132770. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2022.13277010.1016/j.snb.2022.132770 ↗
27. Wen X, Cheng H, Zhang W, You L, Li J (2024) Multifunctional Ni(OH)2/Ag composites for ultrasensitive SERS detection and efficient photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin and methylene blue. Talanta 266:125140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2023.12514010.1016/j.talanta.2023.125140 ↗
28. Rajput Samriti V, Gupta RK, Prakash J (2022) Engineering metal oxide semiconductor nanostructures for enhanced charge transfer: fundamentals and emerging SERS applications. J Mater Chem C 10:73–95. https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC04886D.10.1039/D1TC04886D ↗
29. Cheng H, Wen X, Luo K, You L, Li J (2023) In-situ deposition of silver nanoparticles on cuprous oxide hollow spheres for sensitive and recyclable SERS sensing in solution based on electromagnetic and chemical enhancement. Microchem J 195:109463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2023.10946310.1016/j.microc.2023.109463 ↗
30. Tieu DT, Quynh Trang TN, Tuan Hung LV, Hanh Thu VT (2019) Assembly engineering of Ag@ZnO hierarchical nanorod arrays as a pathway for highly reproducible surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy applications. J Alloys Compd 808:151735. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2019.15173510.1016/j.jallcom.2019.151735 ↗
31. Trang TNQ, Doanh TT, Vinh LQ, Thu VTH (2021) A hybrid Ag/TiO2 nanoarray-based in situ charge transfer toward multi-functional active-platform. Ceram Int 47:27524–27534. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2021.06.17610.1016/j.ceramint.2021.06.176 ↗
32. Pan Y, Song X, Wang S, Li S, Wang M (2026) Highly sensitive fiber optic SERS probes based on semiconductor and precious metal materials. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 346:126860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2025.12686010.1016/j.saa.2025.126860 ↗
33. Yang B, Sun H, Lv H, Chen M, Jiang Y, Fu F, Su M, Liu X (2025) Utilizing ZnO mineralization for the synthesis of cellulose nanocomposites embedded with noble metal NPs for enhanced SERS detection. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 716:136733. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2025.13673310.1016/j.colsurfa.2025.136733 ↗
34. Li J, Xie Q, Li J, Sun L, Xie Y, Ozaki Y, Ji W (2024) Macroscale TiO2 microspherical arrays with multiple synergistic effect for highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering. Adv Funct Mater 34:2400523. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.20240052310.1002/adfm.202400523 ↗
35. Li Z, Zhang Y, Qin S, Ding H, Cao J, Pan J, Li C, Wang J (2024) Synthesis of UiO-66/Ag/TiO2 composite as reusable SERS substrate. Mater Today Commun 41:111054. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.11105410.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.111054 ↗
36. Gao S, Wei Q, Pu H (2025) UiO-66@TiO2/Au heterojunction-like SERS substrate based on adsorption-induced aggregation for detection of thiamethoxam and triazophos in apple juice. Sens Actuators B Chem 431:137398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2025.13739810.1016/j.snb.2025.137398 ↗
37. Li X, Xie Z, Yang F, Xiong C (2024) Mott-Schottky heterostructural TiO2@Ag@AgBr nanohybrids for efficient photocatalytic degradation of Cr (VI) and enhanced on-site SERS detection. Surf Interfaces 51:104661. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2024.10466110.1016/j.surfin.2024.104661 ↗
38. Butmee P, Samphao A, Tumcharern G (2022) Reduced graphene oxide on silver nanoparticle layers-decorated titanium dioxide nanotube arrays as SERS-based sensor for glyphosate direct detection in environmental water and soil. J Hazard Mater 437:129344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.12934410.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129344 ↗
39. Das S, Saxena K, Goswami LP, Gayathri J, Mehta DS (2022) Mesoporous Ag–TiO2 based nanocage like structure as sensitive and recyclable low-cost SERS substrate for biosensing applications. Opt Mater 125:111994. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2022.11199410.1016/j.optmat.2022.111994 ↗
40. Das S, Saxena K, Mehta DS (2022) A highly sensitive SERS substrate based on a mesoporous Ag–TiO2 thin film for the detection of dye molecules. Mater Adv 3:5337–534310.1039/D2MA00211F ↗
41. Xu HJ, Li XJ (2008) Silicon nanoporous pillar array: a silicon hierarchical structure with high light absorption and triple-band photoluminescence. Opt Express 16:2933–294110.1364/OE.16.002933 ↗
42. Deng A, Zhu Y, Guo X, Zhou L, Jiang Q (2018) Synthesis of various TiO2 micro-/nano-structures and their photocatalytic performance. Materials 11:99510.3390/ma11060995 ↗
43. Sun Y, Tian R, Niu L, Sun Y, Zhang W, Wang H, Wang J, Liu Y (2025) TiO2 nanorod arrays modified by AuAg alloy nanoparticles for photoelectrocatalytic glycerol conversion and synergistic hydrogen production. Int J Hydrogen Energy 119:34–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.03.22010.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.03.220 ↗
44. Lavudya P, Pant H, Srikanth VVSS, Ammanabrolu R (2023) Mesoporous and phase pure anatase TiO2 nanospheres for enhanced photocatalysis. Inorg Chem Commun 152:110699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inoche.2023.11069910.1016/j.inoche.2023.110699 ↗
45. Ferreira VRA, Azenha MA, Pereira CM, Silva AF (2022) Crystallization of hollow TiO2 into anatase at mild conditions, for improved surface recognition in selective photocatalysis. Appl Catal A Gen 648:118912. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcata.2022.11891210.1016/j.apcata.2022.118912 ↗
46. Jimenez-Vara PB, Johny J, de Novoa- Leon IC, Guerrero-Bermea C, Garcia-Gutierrez DF, Garcia-Gutierrez DI, Chavez-Guerrero L, Sepulveda-Guzman S (2020) Hybrid films of reduced graphene oxide modified with gold nanorods and its study as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy platform. Mater Lett 265:127405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2020.12740510.1016/j.matlet.2020.127405 ↗
47. Fateixa S, Nogueira HIS, Trindade T (2018) Surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectral imaging for the attomolar range detection of crystal violet in contaminated water. ACS Omega 3:4331–434110.1021/acsomega.7b01983 ↗
48. Mandavkar R, Lin S, Kulkarni R, Pandit S, Burse S, Habib MA, Pandey P, Kunwar S, Lee J (2022) Dual-step hybrid SERS scheme through the blending of CV and MoS2 NPs on the AuPt core-shell hybrid NPs. J Mater Sci Technol 107:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2021.08.02210.1016/j.jmst.2021.08.022 ↗
49. Nur ASM, Funada E, Kiritoshi S, Matsumoto A, Kakei R, Hinokuma S, Yoshida H, Machida M (2018) Phase-dependent formation of coherent interface structure between PtO2 and TiO2 and its impact on thermal decomposition behavior. J Phys Chem C 122:662–66910.1021/acs.jpcc.7b10858 ↗
50. Sellappan R, Nielsen MG, González-Posada F, Vesborg PCK, Chorkendorff I, Chakarov D (2013) Effects of plasmon excitation on photocatalytic activity of Ag/TiO2 and Au/TiO2 nanocomposites. J Catal 307:214–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcat.2013.07.02410.1016/j.jcat.2013.07.024 ↗