Synthesis, characterization and application of TiO2/Ag recyclable SERS substrates

Abstract

In this paper, rutile and anatase TiO₂/Ag nanocomposites were prepared by a facile and green photochemical method. The as-prepared samples were investigated by using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques in detail. Trace detection of rhodamine 6G (R6G) and crystal violet (CV) was studied based on the nanocomposites. Compared to the anatase TiO₂/Ag nanocomposite, the rutile TiO₂/Ag nanocomposites (S_r3) exhibited the best SERS performance for rhodamine 6G (R6G). Then, the optimized SERS-active substrates (S_r3) were employed to study its recycling properties by degrading R6G and CV in situ. The substrates were able to self-clean. The possible mechanism of the good SERS and photocatalytic performance of the TiO₂/Ag nanocomposite (S_r3) was discussed. This work is of importance in theoretical research and practical application based on the SERS effect of nanocomposites.