Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) chips made from metal nanoparticle-doped polymer fibers

Abstract

We employed an electrospinning method to prepare metal nanoparticle (NP) doped polymer nanofiber mats, which can be easily cut to size and fixed on slides or in microfluidic channels for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) measurements. Metal NPs embedded in the composite nanofibers maintained their intrinsic shape and monodispersity, as well as their enhancement ability. In addition, they can be re-suspended in aqueous solution to recover a colloidal solution with persistent SERS activity. The SERS chips made from the metal NP-doped polymer nanofiber mats displayed high detection sensitivity and reproducibility. The microfluidic chips decorated with several metal NP-doped polymer nanofiber mats possess multi-SPR properties and can be widely used for different analytes. These composite polymer mats can be easily stored and transported, and also possess potential for use as antibacterial filters and paint for medical purposes.