title: Multifunctional microgel magnetic/optical traps for SERS ultradetection.
abstract: We report on the fabrication of a SERS substrate comprising magnetic and silver particles encapsulated within a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) thermoresponsive microgel. This colloidal substrate has the ability to adsorb analytes from solution while it is expanded (low temperature) and reversibly generate hot spots upon collapse (high temperature or drying). Additionally, the magnetic functionality permits concentration of the composite particles into small spatial regions, which can be exploited to decrease the amount of material per analysis while improving its SERS detection limit. Proof of concept for the sequestration of uncommon molecular systems is demonstrated through the first SERS analysis of pentachlorophenol (PCP), a chlorinated ubiquitous environmental pollutant.
authors: Departamento de Química Física, and Unidad Asociada CSIC-Universidade de Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Spain.
authors: Rafael
authors: R
authors: Contreras-Cáceres
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Abalde-Cela
authors: Pablo
authors: P
authors: Guardia-Girós
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Fernández-Barbero
authors: Jorge
authors: J
authors: Pérez-Juste
authors: Ramon A
authors: RA
authors: Alvarez-Puebla
authors: Luis M
authors: LM
authors: Liz-Marzán
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D005782:Gels; D008280:Magnetics; D052898:Optical Tweezers; D010416:Pentachlorophenol / Q000032:analysis; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005782:Gels; C052970:poly-N-isopropylacrylamide; D010416:Pentachlorophenol