Synthesis of the hybrid CdS/Au flower-like nanomaterials and their SERS application

The CdS flower-like nanomaterials (FLNMs) were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. With the help of the hydrophilic group on polyvinyl pyrrolidone molecules, the CdS FLNMs were decorated with Au nanoparticles (NPs) through in situ chemical reduction of HAuCl4. The hybrid CdS/Au FLNMs were investigated through surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). It is found that they can detect crystal violet, Rhodamine B and malachite green as low as 1.0 × 10−8 M, 1.0 × 10−8 M, and 1.0 × 10-7 M respectively. In addition, the theoretical simulation was carried out by the discrete dipole approximation (DDA) method. It is found that the strong electric field of Au dimer and the coupling electric field between Au NPs and CdS FLNMs makes a significant improvement in SERS. Therefore, the hybrid CdS/Au FLNMs have a potential in applications such as detecting organics.