Improved Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Properties of ZrO₂ Nanoparticles by Zn Doping.

ABSTRACT: In this study, ZrO₂ and Zn-ZrO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) with a series of Zn ion doping amounts were synthesized by the sol-gel process and utilized as substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). After absorbing the probing molecule 4-mercaptobenzoic acid, the SERS signal intensities of Zn-ZrO₂ NPs were all greater than that of the pure ZrO₂. The 1% Zn doping concentration ZrO₂ NPs exhibited the highest SERS enhancement, with an enhancement factor (EF) value of up to 10⁴. X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Ultraviolet (UV) photoelectron spectrometer, UV-vis spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the properties of Zn-ZrO₂ NPs and explore the mechanisms behind the SERS phenomenon. The charge transfer (CT) process is considered to be responsible for the SERS performance of 4-MBA adsorbed on Zn-ZrO₂. The results of this study demonstrate that an appropriate doping ratio of Zn ions can promote the charge transfer process between ZrO₂ NPs and probe molecules and significantly improve the SERS properties of ZrO₂ substrates.

SUBMITTER: Ji P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6669659 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature