Improved Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Performance of 2D Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub><i>x</i></sub> MXene Embedded in PVDF Film Enabled by Photoinduction and Electric Field Modulation
Monidipa Pramanik, Mukta V. Limaye, Parul Sharma, Madhusudan Mishra, Sukanta Kumar Tripathy, Shashi B. Singh
Abstract
In this study, we introduce a synergistic approach to enhance the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signal in two-dimensional (2D) MXene through photo-irradiation and electric field modulation. Our methodology involves the integration of 2D Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene with piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer, resulting in the creation of a free-standing, flexible composite film. On this composite film, a thin layer of Au was deposited. Our flexible substrate was able to sense methylene blue (MB), crystal violet (CV), 4-aminothiophenol (ATP), and melamine. The SERS substrate exhibits low detection limit of 10 –8 M MB with a 6.7 × 10 6 enhancement factor (EF). The SERS substrate enables picomolar (pM) detection sensitivity for CV molecules with an EF of 9.2 × 10 9 . Furthermore, the introduction of photo-irradiation leads to an additional ∼3.5-fold enhancement in the SERS signal, which is attributed to the altered work function and defects. The application of mechanical force to the piezoelectric PVDF/Ti 3 C 2 T x film results in a ∼4.5-fold boost in SERS signal due to mechanical force-induced electrical energy. The fabrication strategy employed here for producing a flexible piezoelectric PVDF/Ti 3 C 2 T x film holds significant promise for expanding the potential application of 2D MXene in rapid, on-site sensing scenarios.