Femtosecond laser-induced Au nanostructure-decorated with plasmonic nanomaterials for sensitive SERS-based detection of fentanyl

Fentanyl and its analogs have emerged as the main factor behind the ongoing opioid abuse globally in recent years. However, the existing techniques for sensitive and accurate detection of fentanyl are often complex, laborious, expensive, and restricted to central healthcare facilities. We reported herein a plasmonic biochip fabricated by the femtosecond laser-induced nanostructures and plasmonic nanomaterials for sensitive SERS-based detection of fentanyl. Yolk-shell structured plasmonic nanomaterials are employed owing to their unique optical properties. The femtosecond laser direct writing technique creates three-dimensional silicon nanostructures followed by gold deposition and the immobilization of plasmonic nanomaterials. This SERS biochip fabricated by the femtosecond laser-induced nanostructure decorated with yolk-shell structured plasmonic nanomaterials enables the rapid and sensitive detection of fentanyl with the limit of detection of 3.33 ng/mL. [Display omitted] •Femtosecond laser-induced nanostructures and plasmonic nanomaterials were prepared.•Integration of nanomaterials to fabricate SERS biochips for the sensitive detection of fentanyl.•SERS biochips show superior analytical performance in the detection of fentanyl at 10 ng/mL to 100 μg/mL.•An excellent and sensitive detection of fentanyl was obtained with the LOD of 3.33 ng/mL.