Nanoporous membranes with mixed nanoclusters for Raman-based label-free monitoring of peroxide compounds

Anal Chem. 2009 Jul 15;81(14):5740-8. doi: 10.1021/ac900537d.

Abstract

Monitoring trace amounts of peroxide-based molecules is challenging because of the lack of common optical signatures (fluorescence or absorption in UV-vis range) or chemical functionality easily detectable with common routines. To overcome this issue, we suggest a photochemical decomposition approach followed by the analysis of chemical fragments by a fast, sensitive, and reliable Raman spectroscopic method. To facilitate this approach, we employed a novel design of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-active nanoporous substrate based on porous alumina membranes decorated with mixed nanoclusters composed of gold nanorods and nanoparticles. The detectable amount of HMTD below 2 pg demonstrated here is about 3 orders of magnitude lower than the current limit of detection. We suggest that laser-induced photocatalytic decomposition onto nanoparticle clusters is critical for achieving label-free detection of unstable and nonresonant organic molecules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aluminum Oxide / chemistry
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / analysis*
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / chemistry
  • Explosive Agents / analysis*
  • Explosive Agents / chemistry
  • Free Radicals / chemistry
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Photolysis
  • Porosity
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman
  • Staining and Labeling
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Explosive Agents
  • Free Radicals
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • hexamethylenetriperoxidediamine
  • Aluminum Oxide