3D-printed ultrasensitive SERS substrates via photocrosslinked Pluronic F127 micellar hydrogel with citrate-reduced metallic nanoparticles

Abstract

In this study, we present a rapid and reproducible approach to fabricating flexible surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates using 3D printing technology. We developed 3D-printed ultrasensitive substrates containing metallic nanoparticles (Au or Ag), synthesized by citrate reduction and stabilized by a 3D-printed micellar hydrogel matrix formed by photocrosslinked pluronic F127. The SERS signal can be fine-tuned by adjusting water content within the printed hydrogel, and an analytical enhancement factor of up to 3 × 10⁶ was achieved with excellent repeatability (RSD < 7.0%). These SERS substrates offer robust sensing capabilities, and this versatile fabrication strategy has significant potential for creating a wide range of plasmonic platforms.