One-dimensional nanohybrids based on cellulose nanocrystals and their SERS performance

Controllable and uniform loading of gold nanospheres (AuNSs) on cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) were first achieved by electrostatic adsorption self-assembly. By adjusting the size, Zeta potential, and the loading ratio of AuNSs and CNC, the particle spacing of AuNSs on CNC surface was successfully regulated. This strategy provides an easy and efficient approach to construct one dimensional (1D) hot spots, which is a key to improve the performance of surface enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (SERS). When used as SERS probe, the nanohybrid of CNC@AuNSs is able to detect Rhodamine 6G at the low concentration of 5 x 10(-8) g/L. Because AuNSs are fixed on CNC to form stable hot spots, the SERS reproducibility of CNC@AuNSs is significantly improved compared to that of colloidal gold nanoparticles, which generally form unstable hot spots via irreversible aggregation. This type of multifunctional nanoprobe based on CNC has potential applications in the field of sensing detection.

Automated summary

This article describes the controllable and uniform loading of gold nanospheres on cellulose nanocrystals by electrostatic adsorption self-assembly. The particle spacing of gold nanospheres on cellulose nanocrystal surface was successfully regulated by adjusting size, Zeta potential, and loading ratio. This method provides an easy and efficient approach to constructing one-dimensional hot spots, which is crucial for enhancing the performance of surface enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy. The resulting nanohybrid shows improved reproducibility and sensitivity for SERS detection, making it potentially valuable for sensing applications.