Hydrothermally synthesized Ag decorated β-Ga2O3 heterostructures as low cost, reusable SERS substrates for the nanomolar detection of rhodamine 6G

Abstract

Metal oxide semiconductors and plasmonic metal nanoparticles have received extensive research interest due to their superior optical properties resulting from the combination of semiconductor and plasmonic properties. Herein, we demonstrate the synthesis of Ag decorated β-Ga2O3 heterostructures utilizing a cost effective and eco-friendly hydrothermal method. The decoration of Ag endows plasmonic features to the hybrid material resulting in broad absorption in the visible light region of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is not possible for bare β-Ga2O3 due to its wide bandgap. The peculiar nature of the hybrid material was then utilized to fabricate an efficient substrate for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) applications. The recyclability and prolonged stability of the substrate indicate its potential application toward the fabrication of versatile and low-cost SERS substrates.