Ultrasensitive and reusable SERS probe for the detection of synthetic dyes in food industry through hybrid flower-shaped ZnO@Ag nanostructures

A reliable and accurate sensing of synthetic dyes in foodstuffs is highly significant to prevent health risks. Recently, various heterogeneous structures are used predominantly to explore the distinguished enhancement action of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for ultrasensitive detection of multiple food colorants. Herein, we construct a semiconductor/noble-metal heterostructure by deposition of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on flower-like ZnO microcrystals using a facile photoreduction method. The synergistic effect of flower-like ZnO@Ag nanostructures offers high SERS activity for detection of rhodamine 6G (R6G), sunset yellow (SY), and tartrazine (TZ) with an ultra-low detection limit of 10 −12 M, 10 −10 M, and 10 −11 M, respectively. The flower-like ZnO@Ag nanostructures possess an excellent analytical enhancement factor, sensitivity, and uniformity, towards sensing multiple food colorants. Moreover, the self-reviving ability of the proposed flower-like ZnO@Ag nanostructures is demonstrated by UV-irradiation process and shows its excellent reusability on a single substrate for multiple SERS detection. This work demonstrates the promising use of semiconductor/noble-metal heterostructure with excellent reusability in real-time applications and food safety monitoring. • Novel incorporation of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on flower-like zinc oxide (ZnO) microcrystals via the photoreduction process has been demonstrated. • The flower-like ZnO@Ag nanostructures were used as SERS substrate for detection of synthetic dyes in food industry, Rhodamine 6G (R6G), Sunset yellow (SY), and Tartrazine (TZ). • The flower-like ZnO@Ag nanostructures offers high SERS enhancement, analytical enhancement factor and excellent uniformity. • The self-reviving ability of the proposed flower-like ZnO@Ag nanostructures by UV-irradiation process shows its excellent reusability on a single substrate for multiple SERS detection.