WO3 Nanopores Array Modified by Au Trisoctahedral NPs: Formation, Characterization and SERS Application

The WO3 nanopores array was obtained by an anodization method in aqueous solution with addition of F- ions. Several factors affecting the final morphology of the samples were tested such as potential, time, and F- concentrations. The morphology of the formed nanopores arrays was examined by SEM microscopy. It was found that the optimal time of anodization process is in the range of 0.5-1 h. The nanopores size increased with the increasing potential. The XPS measurements do not show any contamination by F- on the surface, which is common for WOx samples formed by an anodization method. Such a layer was successfully modified by anisotropic gold trisoctahedral NPs of various sizes. The Au NPs were obtained by seed-mediated growth method. The shape and size of Au NPs was analysed by TEM microscopy and optical properties by UV-VIS spectroscopy. It was found that the WO3-Au platform has excellent SERS activity. The R6G molecules could be detected even in the range of 10(-9) M.

Automated summary

In this study, WO3 nanopores array was obtained by utilizing an anodization method in aqueous solution with the addition of F- ions. Several factors affecting the morphology of the samples, such as potential, time, and F- concentrations, were tested. The optimal time range for the anodization process was found to be 0.5-1 h, and the size of the nanopores increased with increasing potential. The WO3-Au platform showed excellent SERS activity, and R6G molecules could be detected even at a concentration of 10(-9) M.