CTAB-triggered Ag aggregates for reproducible SERS analysis of urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites

We propose a novel method for highly sensitive SERS detection of hydrophobic analytes based on cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-triggered Ag aggregates. In particular, we demonstrated its use in a SERS-based assay for urinary hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) with high sensitivity and reproducibility.