Modification of screen-printed electrodes using gold nanostructures for SERS detection of low explosives

Abstract

This study explores a novel application of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as a highly sensitive analytical tool for forensic analysis. We utilized a screen-printed gold electrode (SPGE) as a SERS active material, integrated with a portable Raman instrument for the rapid detection of low explosives. To enhance sensitivity while ensuring ease of handling, we conducted ex situ electrodeposition of gold nanostructures on the SPGE surface prior to analysis. The targeted molecules, comprising potassium nitrate (KNO3), potassium perchlorate (KClO4), sodium benzoate (C6H5COONa), diphenylamine (DPA) with its nitro derivatives, methyl centralite (MC) and ethyl centralite (EC), were studied using the proposed methodology. The developed system successfully provided distinctive SERS spectra fingerprints for low explosives (black powder, black powder substitutes, and smokeless powder) within seconds of analysis time. This approach holds promise for rapid, efficient, and accurate forensic analysis in real-world scenarios.