Covalent organic framework–hybridized Ag nanoparticles as SERS substrate for highly sensitive detection of DNA bases

Currently, research in the development of high-performance sensing platforms has increased to fulfill the needs of analysis and detection. In this study, we developed a novel type of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) chip composed of a covalent organic framework (COF)-silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) nanocomposite, and this nanocomposite was fabricated by a one-step method of ultrasonically mixing the obtained COF and AgNPs. The fabricated chip exhibited high sensitivity and repeatable SERS effects. Practical application results showed that the chip was highly sensitive and reliable and capable of detecting DNA bases (adenine) to fit an equation in the range from 0.01 pM to 1 nM, with an R-square of 0.97253 and a detection limit of ~0.026 pM (signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) = 3). Therefore, the proposed SERS system has potential applications in biological assays.

Schematic of AgNP@COF as SERS substrates for the detection of DNA bases.