A stable and sensitive 2D SERS sensor for bioanalytical applications

Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2024 Apr 15:311:123983. doi: 10.1016/j.saa.2024.123983. Epub 2024 Feb 1.

Abstract

In this study, we describe a 2D-SERS sensor obtained by deposition of spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto a suitably functionalized metal surface. Morphological analysis of the SERS surface by SEM and AFM demonstrated a uniform and stable distribution of the active nanoparticles. Following p-mercaptoaniline (pMA) functionalization, the sensor was characterized by co-localized Raman measurements, demonstrating a significant enhancement in Raman signals with homogeneous SERS activity across the entire sampled area. The as-prepared SERS sensor was demonstrated to be suitable for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), exhibiting a linear correlation between analyte concentration and SERS intensity in the range 5 - 20 μM. This work highlights the potential of 2D-SERS sensors for hypersensitive and accurate analytical measurements, particularly in the biomedical field.

Keywords: 6-mercaptopurine; AFM; Raman imaging; SERS; Therapeutic Drug Monitoring.

MeSH terms

  • Gold*
  • Mercaptopurine
  • Metal Nanoparticles*
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman

Substances

  • Gold
  • Mercaptopurine