Bimetallic SERS platform with femtomolar sensitivity for in situ monitoring of catalytic reactions

Abstract

We developed a gold-silver bimetallic surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) chip (AuNPs@AuAg NSs island array chip) that combines excellent SERS enhancement with in situ catalytic properties. This platform exhibits superior plasmonic catalytic capabilities, enabling rapid in situ monitoring of redox reactions without the need for chemical reductants. Additionally, under simulated sunlight, the chip achieved effective degradation of methylene blue (MB) molecules, with a removal rate of 95.65 %, demonstrating its potential for environmental safety applications. The chip’s uniform and dense SERS hotspots allow for the detection of pollutants at extremely low concentrations (as low as 10⁻¹⁵ M), offering a powerful tool for trace-level detection of hazardous substances. This work highlights the potential of such nanostructures for in situ monitoring of catalytic reactions and pollutant degradation, as well as for rapid, non-destructive, and high-throughput detection of ultra-low concentrations of analytes.