PDA-MMT/Au@Ag SERS Substrate for Ultrasensitive Thiram Detection and Multiplex Pesticide Screening
摘要
This study develops a novel, eco-friendly Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) substrate, PDA-MMT/Au@Ag NPs, for ultrasensitive thiram (TRM) detection and pesticide screening. The substrate integrates polydopamine-functionalized montmorillonite (PDA-MMT) with Au@Ag core–shell nanoparticles synthesized via solvent-free photoreduction. MMT enriches analytes and prevents nanoparticle aggregation, while Au@Ag NPs generate high-density plasmonic hotspots. This dual synergy enables exceptional performance: a TRM detection limit of 1.34 × 10⁻⁹ M in solution (far below the FDA limit), with high uniformity (RSD = 9.54%) and stability (> 28 days). The substrate also demonstrates versatility for dyes (R6G, CV, NBA) and other pesticides. Optimization confirmed 30 min UV irradiation and a 1:10 MMT-to-Au@Ag volume ratio as ideal parameters. Characterization by TEM, XRD, XPS, and UV–vis validated the successful synthesis and core–shell structure. Compared to existing SERS platforms, this substrate offers superior sensitivity, reduced noble metal usage, and simpler, chemical-reductant-free fabrication, making it promising for on-site food safety and environmental monitoring.