Gold nanoparticle substrates for recyclable surface-enhanced Raman detection of Rhodamine 6G and Sudan I

Excellent and recyclable surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrates were fabricated via a one-step route: reducing gold ions to Au nanoparticles with silicon–hydrogen bond and assembling them in-situ on the Si wafer. Gold nanoparticles with the average size of 22 nm were epitaxially grown and uniformly assembled. The substrate exhibited excellent surface-enhanced Raman effect in the low concentration detection (1 × 10− 10 M) of Rhodamine 6G with relative standard deviation of < 20%, and sustained stable enhancement efficiency in the recycle usage. The substrates were also employed to detect Sudan I dye with distinguished sensitivity and uniformity. More significantly, these substrates kept Au nanoparticles from growing larger during the Raman detection, compared with the conventional substrates, indicating it was a meaningful possibility for the practical applications.

► A fast one-step route to fabricate surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrates ► The substrates were used to detect hazardous materials: Rhodamine 6G and Sudan I. ► The substrates exhibited excellent sensitivity and uniformity. ► The substrates may be recycled.