Wafer-scale silver nanodendrites with homogeneous distribution of gold nanoparticles for biomolecules detection

We report the fabrication and demonstrate the superior performance of robust, cost-effective, and biocompatible hierarchical Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) decorated Ag nanodendrites (AgNDs) on a Silicon platform for the trace-level detection of antibiotics (penicillin, kanamycin, and ampicillin) and DNA bases (adenine, cytosine). The hot-spot density dependence studies were explored by varying the AuNPs deposition time. These substrates’ potential and versatility were explored further through the detection of crystal violet, ammonium nitrate, and thiram. The calculated limits of detection for CV, adenine, cytosine, penicillin G, kanamycin, ampicillin, AN, and thiram were 348 pM, 2, 28, 2, 56, 4, 5, and 2 nM, respectively. The analytical enhancement factors were estimated to be ∼107 for CV, ∼106 for the biomolecules, ∼106 for the explosive molecule, and ∼106 for thiram. Furthermore, the stability of these substrates at different time intervals is being reported here with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy/scattering (SERS) data obtained over 120 days. [Display omitted] •Wafer-scale surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy/scattering (SERS) substrate of Ag nanodendrites decorated with Au nanoparticles prepared•Trace level detection of antibiotics achieved•Versatility of these substrates demonstrated by detecting explosive, dye molecules•Typical enhancement factors achieved were 105–107 Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology