Surface enhanced Raman scattering study of the antioxidant alkaloid boldine using prismatic silver nanoparticles

•The SERS spectrum of the antioxidant alkaloid boldine has been registered.•Spectral SERS reproducibility is obtained by using of prismatic silver nanoparticles.•Theoretical calculations predict the orientation of boldine onto the Ag surface.

Prismatic silver nanoparticles (PNps) were used in the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) study of the antioxidant alkaloid boldine (5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-1,10-dimethoxy-6-methyl-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline-2,9-diol). Prismatic and quasi-spherical (QsNps) silver nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized by UV–Vis spectra, topographic profile (AFM) and zeta potential measurements. Raman and infrared (IR) spectra of the boldine were registered. Theoretical model calculations of the boldine onto the Ag surface predict a nearly coplanar orientation of the benzo[de]quinoline moiety and non-bonded interactions (electrostatic).

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