title: Effect of cationic polyacrylamides on the aggregation and SERS performance of gold nanoparticles-treated paper.
abstract: This study examines and quantifies the effect of cationic polyelectrolyte adsorption on paper on the aggregation and retention of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to optimize their Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) enhancement factor and sensitivity. Aggregation of metallic nanoparticles is known as a key factor for intense SERS enhancement. Paper substrates were treated with aqueous solutions of cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) varying in concentration, charge density, and molecular weight to control the AuNPs' aggregate size distribution and surface coverage on paper. The Raman Enhancement Factor of AuNPs-CPAM paper was almost an order of magnitude greater than for the untreated AuNPs paper. The high loading and uniform distribution of AuNPs aggregates on CPAM pre-treated paper contributed toward the excellent SERS reproducibility, sensitivity, and high enhancement factor. This configuration of AuNP on paper was favoured by treating the substrate with CPAM solutions of higher concentrations, higher charge density, and greater molecular weight.
authors.affiliation: BioPRIA, Australian Pulp and Paper Institute (APPI), Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Ying Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Ngo
authors.affiliation: Department of Material Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Material Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: George P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: BioPRIA, Australian Pulp and Paper Institute (APPI), Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia. Electronic address: Gil.Garnier@monash.edu.
authors.forename: Gil
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Garnier
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D002412:Cations / Q000737:chemistry; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010209:Paper; D010316:Particle Size; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D013499:Surface Properties; D000099166:Polyacrylamides
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D002412:Cations; D006046:Gold; D000099166:Polyacrylamides