Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Detection of Pesticide Residues Using Transparent Adhesive Tapes and Coated Silver Nanorods

The efficient extraction of analytes from complex and severe environments is significant for promoting the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique to actual applications. In this paper, a proof-of-concept strategy is proposed for the rapid detection of pesticide residues by utilizing the flexible, transparent, and adhesive properties of commercial tapes and SERS performance of Al2O3-coated silver nanorod (AgNR@Al2O3) arrays. The function of tapes is to rapidly transfer the analytes from the actual surface to the SERS substrate. The novel "tape-wrapped SERS (T-SERS)" approach was constructed by a simple "paste, peel off, and paste again" procedure. The easily obtained but clearly distinguished SERS signals allow us to quickly determine the constituents of complex surfaces, such as tetramethylthiuram disulfide and thiabendazole pesticides from fruits and vegetables, which may be practically applied to food safety, environmental monitoring, and industrial production process controlling.