An integrated field-portable ![[similar]](http://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_223c.gif)
6.6 µM) and 0.20 mg L−1 (0.9 µM), respectively, in groundwater samples collected from selected military sites. This research represents the first step toward the development of a field
An integrated field-portable surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing system has been developed and evaluated for quantitative analysis of energetics such as perchlorate (ClO4
–) and trinitrotoluene (TNT) at environmentally relevant concentrations and conditions. The detection system consists of a portable Raman spectrometer equipped with an optical fiber probe that is coupled with novel elevated gold bowtie nanostructural arrays as a sensitive and reproducible SERS substrate. Using the standard addition technique, we show that ClO4
– and TNT can be quantified at concentrations as low as 0.66 mg L–1 (or 6.6 µM) and 0.20 mg L–1 (0.9 µM), respectively, in groundwater samples collected from selected military sites. This research represents the first step toward the development of a field SERS sensor which may permit rapid, in situ screening and analysis for various applications including national security, chemical, biological and environmental detection.
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