An ultra sensitive and rapid SERS detection method based on vortex aggregation enhancement effect for anti-infective drug residues detection in water

The environmental pollution and human health risks caused by anti-infective residual drugs in the environment have attracted much attention. More convenient and effective detection methods to achieve the rapid and high sensitivity detection for such pollutants are required. In this work, a novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) strategy based on vortex aggregation of AgNPs was proposed for the detection of anti-infective drugs in environmental water. The method enhanced the Raman signal of the targets by 2-7.4 times. The mechanism of aggregation enhancement effect under the low-frequency oscillation procedure which significantly enhanced the SERS signal of targets molecular on the aggregated AgNPs was revealed by UV-vis and ICP-MS methods. Three drugs of cefazolin sodium, pefloxacin, and chloroquine phosphate were determined. The detect limits were 3.97 x 10-9 mol/L, 2.42 x 10-10 mol/L, and 7.34 x 10-9 mol/L for cefazolin sodium, pefloxacin, and chloroquine phosphate, respectively. The quantitative relationships were obtained in a wide linear range of 4-5 orders as well as good accuracy and stability with the recoveries of 84.0%-97.1% and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 4.6% for spiked in actual water samples. This method also had excellent repeatability and stability, which have potential application for rapid detection of trace pollutants in water environment.

Automated summary

A novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) strategy based on vortex aggregation of AgNPs was proposed for the rapid detection of anti-infective drugs in environmental water. The method showed enhanced Raman signal and low detection limits, with potential applications in water pollution monitoring.