Zeptomolar detection of 4-aminothiophenol by SERS using silver nanodendrites decorated with gold nanoparticles

In the present work we report a simple, fast, reproducible and cheap methodology for SERS substrate fabrication of silver dendritic nanostructures (prepared by electrodeposition) decorated with gold nanospheres by electrophoretic deposition. This is the first report where a metal dendritic nanostructure has been decorated with another type of metal nanoparticles by this technique. The decorated nanostructures were used directly as SERS substrate using 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) as analyte. The objective of the decoration is to create more hot-spots in order to detect the analyte in a lower concentration. Decorated nanodendrites had a detection limit one million times lower than bare silver nanodendrites and all the substrates showed an increase in the Raman intensity at concentrations below 1 nM; because this concentration corresponds to the threshold for the formation of a monolayer resulting in a triple mechanism of intensity increase, namely electric field, chemical factor and hot-spots. 4-ATP was detected in zeptomolar concentration, which is below 1 ppq, corresponding to an analytical enhancement factor (AEF) in the order of 1015.

Silicon-Silver Dendritic Nanostructures Enabled Photoelectrochemical Solar Water Splitting for Energy Applications

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) splitting of natural water was studied using silicon nanowires decorated with silver dendrites (dendritic nanostructures) as working electrode. A metal assisted wet chemical etching method has been used for the synthesis of dendritic heteronanostructures. Measured photocurrent density 1.7 mA/cm2 under white light illumination exhibits the efficient decomposition of natural water. The decomposition of water is primarily ascribed to the enhancement in the working electrode surface and water effective interface and the decrease in the recombination of light induced (photoexcited) carriers in the existence of silver dendritic nanostructures. Enhancement in photoinduced charge carriers separation caused due to the existence of Schottky barrier between the silicon and silver dendritic nanostructures. The light induced carriers (holes) in silicon are transferred to the metal (Ag) dendritic nanostructures that work as a charge basin to effectively carry out the oxidation reaction of water during PEC measurement. The solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency of about 4.5% was reported, indicating the efficient PEC solar water (pH 7) splitting. A cost-effective and efficient method for the PEC solar water splitting is presented in order to enhance the STH efficiency for the production of clean and renewable fuel.

Metal Oxide-Related Dendritic Structures: Self-Assembly and Applications for Sensor, Catalysis, Energy Conversion and Beyond

In the past two decades, we have learned a great deal about self-assembly of dendritic metal oxide structures, partially inspired by the nanostructures mimicking the aesthetic hierarchical structures of ferns and corals. The self-assembly process involves either anisotropic polycondensation or molecular recognition mechanisms. The major driving force for research in this field is due to the wide variety of applications in addition to the unique structures and properties of these dendritic nanostructures. Our purpose of this minireview is twofold: (1) to showcase what we have learned so far about how the self-assembly process occurs; and (2) to encourage people to use this type of material for drug delivery, renewable energy conversion and storage, biomaterials, and electronic noses.

Revealing Effects of Molecular Orientation on Azo Coupling Reaction of Nitro Compounds Driven by Surface Plasmonic Resonances

A recent report on the azo coupling of 4,4’-mercaptoazobenzene-15-crown-5-ether (4NB15C) and 4-nitrothiophenol (4NTP) indicated that the reaction barrier could be reduced greatly with surface plasmonic effects on silver dendritic nanostructures,...

Robust and cost-effective silver dendritic nanostructures for SERS-based trace detection of RDX and ammonium nitrate

We report the fabrication and performance evaluation of cost-effective, reproducible silver nanodendrite (AgND) substrates, possessing high-density trunks and branches, achieved by a simple electroless etching and used for the trace detection of RDX and Ammonium Nitrate.