Creating SERS hot spots on ultralong single-crystal β-AgVO3 microribbons

beta-AgVO3 ribbons are novel one-dimensional structures with excellent structural, electrical, and catalytic properties. Here we report the synthesis of ultralong beta-AgVO3 microribbons and their applications as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates. A hydrothermal method allows us to prepare millimeter-long beta-AgVO3 ribbons with a cross-section of similar to 2.5 mm x similar to 1 mm in a high yield. The length of the b- AgVO3 microribbons is controlled by the amount of pyridine added to AgNO3 and NH4VO3. The perfectly smooth and single crystalline beta-AgVO3 surfaces drastically change into rough and rippled surfaces upon reaction with 4-aminothiophenol. Electron microscopy studies reveal that Ag nanoparticles with a diameter of similar to 7 nm are formed on the surface, rendering the ultralong beta-AgVO3 microribbons highly SERS-active. Possible mechanisms of the transformation and applications of the resulting SERS-active substrates in microfluidics are discussed herein.