Deposition of hydrophilic Ti3C2Tx on a superhydrophobic ZnO nanorod array for improved surface-enhanced raman scattering performance
Zhihua Wu, Dewei Zhao, Xin Han, Jichang Liu, Ying Sun, Yaogang Li, Yourong Duan
Abstract
Abstract Background Superhydrophobic substrate modifications are an effective way to improve SERS sensitivity by concentrating analyte molecules into a small surface area. However, it is difficult to manipulate low-volume liquid droplets on superhydrophobic substrates. Results To overcome this limitation, we deposited a hydrophilic Ti 3 C 2 T x film on a superhydrophobic ZnO nanorod array to create a SERS substrate with improved analyte affinity. Combined with its interfacial charge transfer properties, this enabled a rhodamine 6G detection limit of 10 −11 M to be achieved. In addition, the new SERS substrate showed potential for detection of biological macromolecules, such as microRNA. Conclusion Combined with its facile preparation, the SERS activity of ZnO/Ti 3 C 2 T x suggests it may provide an ultrasensitive environmental pollutant-monitoring and effective substrate for biological analyte detection. Graphical Abstract