Speedy and surfactant-free in situ synthesis of nickel/Ag nanocomposites for reproducible SERS substrates

Abstract

Ni nanowires with high purity were synthesized by a wet chemical reduction method in an external magnetic field without any assistance from surfactants and templates. Different morphologies of these nanostructures were obtained through changing the experimental conditions. Ni nanowires acted as templates for the deposition of metallic silver over the nanowire. The Ni/Ag nanocomposites were fabricated in situ by a simple and rapid redox-transmetalation reaction. The as-synthesized Ni/Ag nanocomposites were reproducible and stable for use as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate. The reproducible and stable properties will promote practical application of these substrates in the SERS field. The SERS effect of the nanocomposites were evaluated by the use of R6G and 4-ATP as the Raman probes and the results demonstrate that these nanocomposites exhibited strong SERS effects and could be reused.