The characteristic Ag(core)Au(shell) nanoparticles as SERS substrates in detecting dopamine molecules at various pH ranges.

ABSTRACT: AgcoreAushell nanoparticles (NPs) are a promising surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate, which can offer a high enhancement factor through the combined effect of the high SERS activity of the Ag core and the biocompatibility of the Au shell. In this study, AgcoreAushell NPs were examined as SERS substrates for the sensitive detection of dopamine (DA) molecules in an aqueous solution. The SERS activity of the AgcoreAushell NPs was strongly dependent on the pH of the solution. When the pH of the solution was acidic (pH <5) or basic (pH >9), the AgcoreAushell NPs exhibited negligible SERS activity toward the DA molecules, due to the weakened interactions (or repulsive forces) between the DA molecules and the core-shell NPs. On the other hand, the AgcoreAushell NPs exhibited a hig

SUBMITTER: Bu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4554420 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature