Paper-based surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy sensors for field applications

Abstract

Paper-based surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensors can be fabricated easily by dropcasting or inkjet printing colloidal Au nanoparticles onto cellulose-based filter papers. They are flexible, economical, and sensitive and provide the crucial advantage of point-of-need sampling for application in the field. In this study, paper-based SERS sensors are fabricated through inkjet printing of a colloidal Au sol onto a filter paper substrate. We have characterized their SERS performances with benzenethiol and pyridine molecules using a handheld Raman analyzer. Due to the heterogeneous loading of the Au nanoclusters on the paper substrate, we introduce the concept of receiver operating characteristic as an alternate measurand to quantify the performance of these sensors. With their inherent filtration sampling capability, we demonstrate the use of paper SERS sensors for the detection of chemical aerosols. Lastly, we present the use of a precision materials printer to deposit quantifiable amounts of analyte (fentanyl) uniformly across the active sensing area of a paper SERS sensor. This will allow for analyte-loaded certified references to be prepared and used in the field as standards for comparison.