Photovoltaic cells as a highly efficient system for biomedical and electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has been intensively used recently as a highly sensitive, non-destructive, chemical specific, and label-free technique for a variety of studies. Here, we present a novel SERS substrate for: (i) the standard ultra-trace analysis, (ii) detection of whole microorganisms, and (iii) spectroelectrochemical measurements. The integration of electrochemistry and SERS spectroscopy is a powerful approach for in situ investigation of the structural changes of adsorbed molecules, their redox properties, and for studying the intermediates of the reactions. We have developed a conductive SERS platform based on photovoltaic materials (PV) covered with a thin layer of silver, especially useful in electrochemical SERS analysis. These substrates named Ag/PV presented in this study combine crucial spectroscopic features such as high sensitivity, reproducibility, specificity, and chemical/physical stability. The designed substrates permit the label-free identification and differentiation of cancer cells (renal carcinoma) and pathogens ( Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis ). In addition, the developed SERS platform was adopted as the working electrode in an electrochemical SERS approach for p -aminothiophenol ( p -ATP) studies. The capability to monitor in real-time the electrochemical changes spectro-electro-chemically has great potential for broadening the application of SERS. We have developed a conductive SERS platform based on photovoltaic materials (PV) covered with a thin layer of silver, especially useful in electrochemical SERS analysis.