Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy effect and acicular growth of copper structures on Titania-Silica fibers

The development of copper nanomaterials with dendritic shapes or hedgehog morphologies is of interest due to their optical, electrical, and catalytic properties; and their applications in catalysis and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Placing the particles on a ceramic matrix gives them support and the properties of both materials is benefit. In this research, a matrix of TiO2SiO2 ceramic fibers doped with copper microstructures was developed, to take advantage of the synergistic effect of both materials, and their ability to amplify signals in Raman spectroscopy was evaluated. Sol-gel and electrospinning techniques were used to obtain the ceramic matrix, and electrodeposition to obtain the copper structures. Characterization by infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction allowed the identification of copper species such as CuO, Cu2O, and Cu(OH)2. In addition, the characterization with scanning electron microscopy allowed to identify morphologies on the fibers of spheres, dendrites, and needles, belonging to copper species. The materials presented SERS amplification factors of 20.23 and 9.51 for TiO2SiO2 fibers and TiO2SiO2Cu doped by 0.75 min respectively, for the 1373 cm−1 band of a 1 × 10−4 M violet crystal solution.