title: Selective SERS Sensing Modulated by Functionalized Mesoporous Films.
abstract: A hybrid material comprising metal nanoparticles embedded in functionalized mesoporous thin films was constructed, and its use as a selective SERS-based sensor was demonstrated. The presence of specific functional groups in the pore network allows control over the surface chemistry of the pores, tuning the selectivity for specific molecules. Amino-functionalized hybrid mesoporous thin films were used in a proof of concept experiment, to discern the presence of methylene blue (MB) in mixtures with acid blue (AB), with no need for any sample pretreatment step. Selective detection of MB was possible through entrapment of AB in the mesoporous matrix, based on its high affinity for amino groups. The sensor selectivity can be tuned by varying the solution pH, rendering a pH responsive surface and thus, selective SERS-based sensing. The developed sensors allow specific detection of molecules in complex matrixes.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química Física, Universidade de Vigo , 36310 Vigo, Spain.
authors.forename: Vanesa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: López-Puente
authors.affiliation: Gerencia Química, Centro Atómico Constituyentes, CNEA , Avenida Gral. Paz 1499, B1650KNA San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Paula C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Angelomé
authors.affiliation: Gerencia Química, Centro Atómico Constituyentes, CNEA , Avenida Gral. Paz 1499, B1650KNA San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Galo J A A
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Soler-Illia
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química Física, Universidade de Vigo , 36310 Vigo, Spain.|Bionanoplasmonics Laboratory, CIC biomaGUNE , Paseo de Miramón 182, 20009 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.|Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science , 48013 Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Liz-Marzán
keywords: SERS; gold nanoparticles; hybrid materials; mesoporous films; molecular sieves; sensors