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Enhanced Sensitivity and Homogeneity of SERS Signals on Plasmonic Substrate When Coupled to Paper Spray Ionization–Mass Spectrometry

Authors :
Adewale A. Adehinmoye
Ebenezer H. Bondzie
Jeremy D. Driskell
Christopher C. Mulligan
Jun-Hyun Kim
Source :
Chemosensors, Vol 12, Iss 9, p 175 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

This work reports on the development of an analyte sampling strategy on a plasmonic substrate to amplify the detection capability of a dual analytical system, paper spray ionization–mass spectrometry (PSI-MS) and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). While simply applying only an analyte solution to the plasmonic paper results in a limited degree of SERS enhancement, the introduction of plasmonic gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) greatly improves the SERS signals without sacrificing PSI-MS sensitivity. It is initially revealed that the concentration of AuNPs and the type of analytes highly influence the SERS signals and their variations due to the “coffee ring effect” flow mechanism induced during sampling and the degree of the interfacial interactions (e.g., van der Waals, electrostatic, covalent) between the plasmonic substrate and analyte. Subsequent PSI treatment at high voltage conditions further impacts the overall SERS responses, where the signal sensitivity and homogeneity significantly increase throughout the entire substrate, suggesting the ready migration of adsorbed analytes regardless of their interfacial attractive forces. The PSI-induced notable SERS enhancements are presumably associated with creating unique conditions for local aggregation of the AuNPs to induce effective plasmonic couplings and hot spots (i.e., electromagnetic effect) and for repositioning analytes in close proximity to a plasmonic surface to increase polarizability (i.e., chemical effect). The optimized sampling and PSI conditions are also applicable to multi-analyte analysis by SERS and MS, with greatly enhanced detection capability and signal uniformity.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
22279040
Volume :
12
Issue :
9
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Chemosensors
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.4a96ee30d5024bce86df66c1abf5110b
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors12090175