Cellulose-Based SERS Substrate for Vapor-Phase Thiol Detection with PCA for Enhanced Chemical Selectivity

Abstract

In this work, we present a low-cost, label-free cellulose-based paper SERS (Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering) substrate for the sensitive detection of thiol compounds. Uniform silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized on cellulose filter paper via in situ reduction of a silver precursor under UVC irradiation, achieving a high SERS enhancement factor of 8.5 × 106. The Ag-cellulose substrate demonstrated reliable detection of benzenethiol, capturing its characteristic SERS signals with remarkable sensitivity. Quantitative analysis was enabled by adjusting exposure times for accurate calibration. Furthermore, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was successfully employed to distinguish mixed samples of benzenethiol, hexanethiol, and propanethiol, showcasing the substrate’s capability in separating complex mixtures. This cellulose-based AgNP platform offers a sustainable, cost-effective solution for rapid chemical detection, with significant potential for real-world applications such as environmental monitoring and food safety.