【International Papers】Hydrothermally synthesized Ag decorated β-Ga₂O₃ heterostructures as low cost, reusable SERS substrates for the nanomolar detection of rhodamine 6G

      Researchers from the School of Pure and Applied Physics, Mahatma Gandhi University have published a dissertation titled " Hydrothermally synthesized Ag decorated β-Ga₂O₃ heterostructures as low cost, reusable SERS substrates for the nanomolar detection of rhodamine 6G " in Science Direct.

Abstract

     Metal oxide semiconductors and plasmonic metal nanoparticles have received extensive research interest due to their superior optical properties resulting from the combination of semiconductor and plasmonic properties. Herein, we demonstrate the synthesis of Ag decorated β-Ga₂O₃ heterostructures utilizing a cost effective and eco-friendly hydrothermal method. The decoration of Ag endows plasmonic features to the hybrid material resulting in broad absorption in the visible light region of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is not possible for bare β-Ga₂O₃ due to its wide bandgap. The peculiar nature of the hybrid material was then utilized to fabricate an efficient substrate for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) applications. The recyclability and prolonged stability of the substrate indicate its potential application toward the fabrication of versatile and low-cost SERS substrates.

Paper Link：https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpcs.2023.111407