Surface enhanced raman spectroscopy gold nanorods substrates for detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoulene and 3,5-dinitro-4-methylbenzoic acid explosives

摘要

The invention described relates to the synthesis of gold nanorods in high concentrations in a single batch and their use in detection of nitroexplosives using Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). The nanoparticle suspensions were stable up to a month after preparation. The aggregated nanorods have a strong SERS effect for nitroexplosives (3,5-dintro-4-methylbenzoic acid and 2,4,6-TNT) with sensitivity of 5.0 pg in a few seconds. The results obtained in numerous tests demonstrated a high reproducibility that makes aggregated nanorods very attractive substrates for defense and security applications.

主权项

1. A method of fabricating surface enhanced Raman Spectroscopy gold nanorods comprising:
synthesizing gold nanorods using a seed cetyl cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) technique; and aggregating said gold nanorods as films in a cyclohexane/water interface using an inducer by:
a) mixing a gold nanorod solution with water and transferring said mixed gold nanorod solution with water into a beaker having a glass slide positioned on an angle of inclination of about 5° to about 10°;b) adding cyclohexane to the top of said gold nanorod solution forming an immiscible water/cyclohexane interface;c) adding ethanol leading to said gold nanorod film to be trapped at the water/cyclohexane interface; andd) removing part of said cyclohexane and draining out the gold nanorod solution leaving the glass slide covered with gold nanoparticles.