Gold Nanorod Density-Dependent Label-Free Bacteria Sensing on a Flake-like 3D Graphene-Based Device by SERS

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an effective technique for biosensing, enabling label-free detection of biomolecules with enhanced sensitivity. There is a tremendous probability of signal failure in Raman frequencies because of the scattering of the Raman radiation in liquids, effective SERS improvement is required to reduce this issue when considering liquid specimens. We examined a liquid bacterial sample, investigating the electrostatic interactions of the bacterial samples with gold nanorods (AuNRs) and graphene. We established a voltage-gated 3D graphene functionalized with an AuNR-based device on the silicon substrate for SERS measurements when the applied voltage ranges from 0 to 3 V. Moreover, AuNRs density-susceptible bacterial sample analysis with varied concentrations of bacterial samples has also been described. Using bacterial SERS analysis, the bacterial components amide II (1555-1565 cm-1) and amide III (1250-1350 cm-1) have been discovered for both bacteria, Gram-positive, Listeria monocytogenes and Gram-negative, Salmonella typhi. Our fabricated device affords an interesting label-free, rapid, and reproducible bacterial sample analysis based on the density of the AuNRs when functionalizing flake-like 3D graphene, which can help facilitate label-free bacteria sensing platforms.

Automated summary

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an effective technique for label-free detection of biomolecules with enhanced sensitivity. In this study, we investigated the electrostatic interactions of bacterial samples with gold nanorods (AuNRs) and graphene, and established a voltage-gated 3D graphene functionalized with an AuNR-based device for SERS measurements. Our fabricated device provides a label-free, rapid, and reproducible analysis of bacterial samples based on the density of AuNRs when functionalizing flake-like 3D graphene, offering great potential for label-free bacteria sensing platforms.