Optimization of silver nanodendrites for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in an acidic environment

Silver nanodendrites (Ag NDs) are synthesized by chemical reduction with silver nitrate (AgNO3) as a precursor, ethanol as reducing agent and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as a stabilizer. The as-synthesized Ag NDs are then characterized by UV-vis Spectroscopy ((UV-vis)) and sample 15% Ag shows the most absorbency. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) confirms the morphological of dendritic structure. The pH of 15% Ag NDs sample were then modified to acidic condition and the Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) investigation is done using 4-Aminobenzebethiol (4-ABT) as a molecular probe. 15% Ag NDs with pH 3 shows the best performance in SERS application and the optical properties.