In-situ reduction of silver nanoparticles on molybdenum disulfide for an ultrasensitive recyclable SERS detection based on electromagnetic and chemical effects

With the aim to realize the extensive implementation of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technology on practical chemical and biological detection, it is of extreme importance to establish a reliable SERS substrate with promising sensitivity and reusability. In this study, a facile in-situ reduction strategy induced by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation was utilized to modify silver (Ag) nanoparticles onto molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoflowers, facilitating a hybrid substrate with both photocatalytic and SERS properties. An enhancement factor of 5.3 × 106 was achieved in the proposed hybrid substrate, which could realize the photocatalytic diminishing of molecules within 170 min. Particularly, a calibration curve with a limit of detection down to 4.5 × 10−4 mg/mL was demonstrated in the practical recyclable monitoring of carbaryl, which indicates the great potential of the developed MoS2 @Ag composite sample in the monitoring and photo-degradation of trace analytes.