Surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy-and surface-enhanced infrared absorption-based molecular sensors : Selective detection of polycyclic aromatic Hydrocarbons employing different silver nanoparticle functionalization methods

Functionalization of metal nanoparticles usually employed for Surface Enhanced Raman and Infrared Spectroscopies, with adequate host molecules, has allowed the selective detection of some Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), considered as hazardous pollutants. The molecular sensing capabilities of these high sensitivity techniques, SERS and SEIRA, together with their complementarity, are here illustrated for the case of employing calix[4]arenes derivatives as host molecules in order to detect PAHs.