Au nanoflower–Ag nanoparticle assembled SERS-active substrates for sensitive MC-LR detection

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-active substrates assembled by two types of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated. Aptamers driven Au nanoflower (Au NF)-Ag NP core-satellite assemblies exhibited amplified SERS signals and achieved the sensitive detection of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) in Tai lake water with the limit of detection (LOD) of 8.6 ± 0.4 pM.