Fabrication of an Optoplasmonic Raft with Improved SERS Performance Detecting Methamphetamine through Bubble Enrichment

In this work, a novel raft-like structure that combines noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) with an interconnected layer of hemispherical dielectric shell was fabricated and characterized. It was discovered that this hybrid material can enhance the optoplasmonic interaction between plasmonic and dielectric components, thereby improving the sensing performance in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Varied geometric parameters of the fabricated optoplasmonic raft, including the inner diameter and thickness of the dielectric shell, were attempted and analyzed through numerical simulation and experimental SERS measurements. With particular size, thickness, and incident orientation, the silica shell focuses the incident optical flow into the deposited silver NPs, undergoing similar near-field focusing behavior in comparison with other optoplasmonic entities. This optoplasmonic raft floating on the water surface is able to harvest the target molecules effectively through bubble enrichment, which rapidly captures and concentrates analytes from the aqueous phase. With a limited sampling time, the sensing performance of the developed optoplasmonic raft is improved by applying the optimized parameters involved in bubble enrichment. The substrates and corresponding enrichment method were implemented in the detection of methamphetamine (METH), achieving a limit of detection (LOD) down to 0.035 nM. As for practical onsite detection, the developed substrate and bubbling strategy were applied in an assembled set, employing a portable Raman spectrometer and an air pump. This set is able to detect METH dissolved in regular commercial beer, which is quite competent in the investigation of drug abuse.