Ultra-sensitive determination of silver nanoparticles by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) after hydrophobization-mediated extraction

An innovative and ultra-sensitive surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic (SERS) method that uses a triple-functional surfactant ligand for nanoparticle surface binding, phase transfer and SERS signal reporting was developed for silver nanoparticle (AgNP) detection. The method was able to detect 100 ng L-1 of AgNPs in aqueous samples and 2 mu g g(-1) AgNPs in wheat plants.