Abstract
The authors describe a Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based method for the detection of gaseous toluene at different temperature regimes using 3D ruffled silver SERS substrates and a commercially available handheld Raman system equipped with a 785 nm laser. The 3D silver SERS substrates were synthesized via electroless deposition of silver on the ruffled sandpaper and HF-etched silicon wafers. The morphological characterization of the silver SERS substrates was carried out by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. UV-Vis spectroscopy absorption spectra of the silver nanostructures showed plasmonic peaks at 522 nm and 731 nm. Toluene vapors were collected with a syringe at ambient temperature and at 100 °C, while SERS detection was always performed at room temperature. Toluene detection was based on the measurement of the Raman bands at 787 cm−1 and 1003 cm−1 (in the fingerprint region). The method allow gaseous toluene to be detected at its vapor concentrations of 522 ppm (mg/L), 261 ppm (mg/L) and 26 ppm (mg/L).
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This work was funded by the Government of Lithuania through an European Space Agency Contract under the PECS (Plan for European Cooperating States). The view expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Space Agency.
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Ramanauskaite, L., Mazeika, V. & Snitka, V. SERS based monitoring of toluene vapors at ambient and elevated temperatures by using a ruffled silver nanolayer as a substrate. Microchim Acta 185, 477 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-018-3013-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-018-3013-1