Excellent surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) based on AgFeO2 semiconductor nanoparticles

Abstract

A simple hydrothermal method was employed to synthesize AgFeO₂ nanoparticles, which were utilized as substrates in SERS detection of Rhodamine 6G and 4-mercaptobenzoic acid. The magnetic properties of the products provided the capability of concentrating analyte molecules under an external magnetic field. The detection in aqueous solution has ensured the uniformity of the SERS signals and the reproducibility of the substrates. It was interesting that the substrates exhibited high SERS activity at Rhodamine 6G concentration of 1 × 10⁻⁷ M with an enhancement factor of 5.1 × 10⁵, showing the highest SERS effect for semiconductor substrates, which might be ascribed to the orderly orientation of AgFeO₂ nanoparticles under external magnetic field.