Effective SERS detection using a flexible wiping substrate based on electrospun polystyrene nanofibers

The progress of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates, which offers flexibility, improved sample collection efficiency and high SERS activity, has provided results in numerous applications. The present study demonstrates the development of a flexible substrate based on electrospun polystyrene (PS) nanofibers decorated with silver nanoparticles for in situ sampling and detection using SERS. The surface of the PS nanofibers contains uniformly distributed nanopores in the range of 70–100 nm due to the phenomenon called ‘breathe figure’. The nanoparticles are strongly adsorbed over the nanofiber surface due to the presence of these nanopores. The present substrate offers effective in situ sampling by wiping directly from the surface of luggage, fruits or any surface of interest. We demonstrated the SERS activity of the substrate by choosing highly energetic materials such as, RDX, DNT and pesticides, namely carbofuran. The results demonstrated that the nanoparticle coated electrospun PS nanofiber mats are promising for in situ sampling and SERS-based detection.