Successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction grown silver nanoflowers as an efficient flexible SERS substrate

The detection limitations of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensors largely depend on the nano tip structure, yet the methods for constructing it are often overly complex. Here, we introduce a method using successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) to synthesize silver nanoflowers (AgNFs) within and on the surface of soft cellulose filter paper. This synthesis relies on a redox reaction involving silver nitrate (AgNO3) and ascorbic acid (AA), with no surfactants or additional agents utilized. Key synthesis parameters were investigated, such as the molar concentration of reactants and the number of synthesis cycles performed. As a result, the detection limit for rhodamine 6G (R6G) using SERS approached 10−11 M when deposited on the optimally synthesized AgNFs sample, yielding a corresponding enhancement factor of 8.9 × 108. The growth mechanism of AgNFs was analyzed by examining morphological changes over the initial five reaction cycles, and differences in X-ray diffraction (XRD) peak intensity ratios of (111) and (200) among the samples were considered. These findings pave a way for the development of high performance, Ag-based flexible SERS substrates. •Silver nanoflowers were successfully fabricated by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method for the first time.•The nanoflower structures can be tailored without the usage of any surfactant or agent.•The SERS detection limit for rhodamine 6G deposited on AgNF samples approached to 10−11 M.