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An integrated portable Raman sensor with nanofabricated gold bowtie array substrates for energetics detection

Journal Article · · Analyst, The
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/c0an00982b· OSTI ID:1028172

An integrated field-portable surface enhaned Raman scattering (SERS) sensing system has been developed and evaluated for quantitative analysis of energetics such as perchlorate (ClO4-) and trinitrotoluene (TNT) at environmentally-relevant concentrations and conditions. The detection system consists of a portable Raman spectrometer equipped with an optical fiber probe that is coupled with novel elevated gold bowtie nanostructural arrays as a sensitive and reproducible SERS substrate. Using the standard addition technique, we show that ClO4- and TNT can be quantified at concentrations as low as 0.66 mg/L (or ~6.6 M) and 0.20 mg/L (~0.9 M), respectively, in groundwater samples collected from selected military sites. This research represents the first step toward the development of a field SERS sensor which may permit rapid, in-situ screening and analysis for various applications including national security, chemical, biological and environmental detection.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences
Sponsoring Organization:
ORNL work for others
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
1028172
Journal Information:
Analyst, The, Journal Name: Analyst, The Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 136; ISSN 0003-2654; ISSN ANALAO
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English