C18-Modified Metal-Colloid Substrates for Surface-Enhanced Raman Detection of Trace-Level Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Olson, Lydia G.1; Uibel, Rory H.1; Harris, Joel M.1
Source: Applied Spectroscopy, Volume 58, Issue 12, Pages 349A-362A and 1377-1508 (December 2004) , pp. 1394-1400(7)
Publisher: Society for Applied Spectroscopy
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Abstract:
Metal colloids immobilized on a glass support substrate are modified with a self-assembled alkylsilane (C18) layer to promote adsorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from aqueous solutions. Detection of these compounds from low concentration solutions is accomplished by using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). SERS spectra of pyrene adsorbed to C18-modified immobilized silver colloids are dominated by Raman bands that are not consistent with pyrene and indicate that pyrene undergoes a chemical reaction at the surface. The origins of this surface product are investigated, and it is determined that silver and oxygen are required to form the product, whose Raman spectrum is consistent with oxidation to a quinone. When a C18-modified gold-colloid substrate is used, Raman scattering consistent with unreacted pyrene is observed. The adsorption and detection of pyrene adsorbed from low (2 ppb) concentration aqueous solutions onto C18-modified gold-colloid substrates is reported; naphthalene and phenanthrene are detected at ~5 ppb. Adsorption kinetics are rapid (<5 min), and the concentration-dependent SERS response is consistent with a Langmuir isotherm.Keywords: SURFACE-ENHANCED RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY; SERS:; POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS; PAH
Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1366/0003702042641380
Affiliations: 1: Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0850
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