A porous silicon composite with irregular silver nano-dendritic particles: a rapid optical sensor for trace detection of malachite green in freshwater fish

• Published in: Analytical methods 2024-01, Vol.16 (4), p.68-614
• Main Authors: Liu, Zhen, Ge, Daohan, Zhao, Chengxiang, Shi, Jiakang, Zeng, Zhou, Fang, Zhiwei, Liu, Jingcheng, Zhang, Liqiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aqueous solutions; Dendritic structure; Electric fields; Fish; Freshwater fish; Malachite green; Optical measuring instruments; Particulate composites; Porous silicon; Raman spectra; Signal strength; Silicon; Silicon substrates; Substrates
• ISSN: 1759-9660; 1759-9679
• DOI: 10.1039/d3ay02044d

This study focused on creating a SERS composite particle specifically designed for detecting malachite green. We synthesized silver nano-dendritic structures on p-type porous silicon using an external electric field, separating them from the silicon wafer. Ultrasonic crushing yielded irregular silver nanodendrite-modified porous silicon composite particles. Upon being tested in an aqueous solution of malachite green, these composite particles demonstrated significant surface-enhanced Raman scattering effects. Our findings highlight the exceptional performance of the SERS substrate composed of porous silicon and irregular silver nano-dendritic particles. It exhibited high sensitivity, specificity, consistent signal strength, and reliability in detecting trace amounts of malachite green in water. Under ideal conditions, the substrate could detect malachite green at concentrations as low as 10 −8 M. Moreover, its swift response to trace amounts of malachite green in fish underscores its potential as an effective Raman detector. A dendritic silver structure was synthesized on porous silicon. The composite substrate prepared using this structure achieved highly sensitive Raman detection of MG in fish, with detection limits as low as 10-8.