Plasmonic MoO3−x@MoO3 nanosheets for highly sensitive SERS detection through nanoshell-isolated electromagnetic enhancement

Abstract

Plasmonic MoO_3−x@MoO₃ nanosheets obtained from surface oxidation of MoO_3−x were employed as a SERS substrate for methylene blue detection. They exhibit extraordinary sensitivity comparable to noble metals, which is attributed to shell-isolated electromagnetic enhancing by the plasmonic MoO_3−x core and elimination of the photocatalytic degradation by the MoO₃ shell.