Interfacial chemistry governs SERS detectability of trimethoprim and ketoprofen: adsorption geometry and chloride-mediated activation.

ABSTRACT: Pharmaceutical residues such as trimethoprim (TMP) and ketoprofen (KTP) are of growing environmental concern due to their persistence in wastewater and potential ecological impacts. In this study, we developed and evaluated electrochemically synthesized silver nanoparticles (e-AgNPs) immobilized on aluminum substrates as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensors for the detection of TMP and KTP. Structural and morphological characterization confirmed uniform, crystalline nanoparticles with an optimal size (∼50 nm) for plasmonic enhancement. Electrochemical measurements showed that TMP and KTP possess nearly identical LUMO levels, yet their SERS responses differed markedly. TMP exhibited strong and reproducible SERS bands, enabling direct quantitative detection over a wide linear ran

SUBMITTER: Nguyet Nga DT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12560754 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature