HfO2-wrapped slanted Ag nanorods array as a reusable and sensitive SERS substrate for trace analysis of uranyl compounds

Abstract

SERS has been used for rapid and trace analysis of uranyl compounds due to its fast response and high sensitivity. However, the difficulties in preparing stable and reusable SERS substrate as well as quantitative detection severely restrict its practical application prospects. Herein, HfO2-wrapped slanted Ag nanorods array was used as SERS substrate for sensitive analysis of trace uranyl compounds for the first time. The proposed substrate with uniform surface roughness and well-distributed Ag nanorods showed excellent spectral reproducibility, while the ultrathin HfO2 film fully covering Ag nanorods effectively improved the substrate stability and contributed to its cyclic utilization. Besides, quantitative detection of trace uranyl ions was achieved by using this substrate with an ultra-low detection limit of 8.33 ppb. Most importantly, SERS spectra of varied uranyl hydroxides at different pH values together with in situ SERS spectrum of UO2(CO3)34− were recorded on this substrate, building the correspondence between SERS band position of OUO(ν1) and uranyl species. Thus, SERS technique based on this substrate could be a promising method for both concentration detection of uranyl ions and structure identification of some uranyl compounds in trace level, indicating high potential application prospects in the environmental monitoring.