Electrochemical synthesis of silver oxide nanowires, microplatelets and application as SERS substrate precursors

[Display omitted] ► We describe the electrochemical synthesis of silver oxide nanowires, filled and hollow platelets. ► These nanostructures are formed via two competing reactions during anodization. ► Formation of nanowires, filled or hollow microplatelets depends upon current density. ► EDX and Raman spectra show that these nanostructures are composed mainly of Ag 2O. ► Nanowire bundles can be used as an efficient SERS substrate for single molecule detection. We describe the electrochemical synthesis of silver oxide nanowires and nanowire bundles, filled platelets and hollow microplatelets in either basic or acidic N, N-dimethylformamide solution. We propose that these nanostructures are formed at the electrode surface via two competing reactions namely, silver dissolution off the electrode in the presence of NH 3 or HF during the anodization of silver, and silver oxide precipitation. Results show that the precipitated silver oxide nanoparticles aggregate into nanowires as well as into filled and hollow microscale platelets, depending upon the nuclei concentration and the anodization current density. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Raman scattering spectroscopy show that the nanowires and microplatelets are mainly composed of Ag 2O. Nanowire bundles are used as substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) where single molecule detection is achieved and evidenced using a bianalyte Raman technique.