SERS and EC-SERS detection of local anesthetic procaine using Pd loaded highly reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite substrate

The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) excitations are critical towards achieving sizable spectral enhancements of the Raman scattered light. Herein, the synthesis of palladium-based highly reduced graphene oxide (Pd-HRG) with LSPR properties as an effective surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate and its utility in the highly sensitive detection of procaine are reported. The concentration detection of procaine samples was optimized by applying a set of pre-concentration parameters. The Pd-HRG nanocomposite showed a remarkable LSPR response with a Raman enhancement factor of 8.7 x 10(2). The Pd-HRG is employed to modify fluorine doped tin oxide electrode (Pd-HRG/FTO), resulted with an enhancement factor of 7.5 x 10(4) corresponding to the EC-SERS technique. The electronic and surface properties of synthesized Pd-HRG and functionalized FTO electrode were evaluated using Raman, infrared, EIS, XRD, FESEM and EDX techniques. Quantum chemical calculations were carried out to elaborate on the nature of interaction of procaine molecules with a nanostructured surface model. Pd-HRG, with an efficient and cost-effective fabrication, can be considered as a promising EC-SERS substrate for the detection of organic therapeutic drugs.(C) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, a palladium-based highly reduced graphene oxide (Pd-HRG) with localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties was synthesized and used as an effective surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate for the highly sensitive detection of procaine. The concentration detection of procaine samples was optimized by adjusting pre-concentration parameters. The Pd-HRG nanocomposite exhibited remarkable LSPR response with a Raman enhancement factor of 8.7 x 10(2). The Pd-HRG was employed to modify a fluorine doped tin oxide electrode (Pd-HRG/FTO), resulting in an enhancement factor of 7.5 x 10(4) using the EC-SERS technique. The electronic and surface properties of the synthesized Pd-HRG and functionalized FTO electrode were evaluated using various characterization techniques. Quantum chemical calculations were conducted to investigate the interaction between procaine molecules and the nanostructured surface model. Pd-HRG, with its efficient and cost-effective fabrication, shows promise as an EC-SERS substrate for the detection of organic therapeutic drugs.