title: Distribution of Silica-Coated Silver/Gold Nanostars in Soft- and Hardwood Applying SERS-Based Imaging.
abstract: Nanoparticles (NPs) in aqueous suspension have just begun to be exploited for the preservative treatment of wood. However, at present, there is very little information available on the distribution of NPs in wood after impregnation, due to associated analytical challenges. In this study, we present the detection of model NPs in softwood and hardwood by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). SERS is a highly sensitive analytical method requiring no fluorescent labeling. The NP distribution after impregnation is evaluated with one representative species of the two wood types. To show the feasibility of the method, we prepared SERS-active Au/Ag nanostars coated with silica to act as a model NP system. We show herein that NPs can be imaged in very low quantities in both wood types without any matrix interactions. The presence of the NPs in the wood was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The fast detection of NPs in a complex matrix, without complicated sample preparation, marks a huge step forward in the development and application of nanotechnology for wood preservation and the quest to optimize the properties of one of the world's most important raw materials.
authors.affiliation: Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg , Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Geers
authors.affiliation: Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg , Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Lorenzo
authors.affiliation: Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering, Bern University of Applied Sciences , Solothurnstrasse 102, 2500 Biel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Placencia Peña
authors.affiliation: HES-SO Haute école d'ingénierie et d'architecture , Pérolles 80, 1705 Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brodard
authors.affiliation: Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering, Bern University of Applied Sciences , Solothurnstrasse 102, 2500 Biel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Volkmer
authors.affiliation: Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg , Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rothen-Rutishauser
authors.affiliation: Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg , Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.|Chemistry Department, University of Fribourg , Chemin de Musée 9, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petri-Fink