Scientists proposed preparing medical tests equipment in a microwave oven
MIET scientists as part of a team of researchers have developed a nanomaterial that would reduce the cost of high-precision analysis in clinical, epidemiological, forensic and other kinds of tests by Raman spectroscopy. The results are published in the Applied Surface Science journal.
According to scientists, one of the most relevant directions in the optical analysis of chemical substances including organic matter is based on the use of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). It is a multiple amplification of the scattered light (Raman) signal from the molecules of the analyzed substance due to its interaction with metal nanoparticles located on the substrate.
SERS sensors are promising for use in medicine, criminology, chemical industry and ecology due to the high speed of analysis, small sample volume and very high sensitivity.
"Sensors are capable of detecting even a single molecule in a multicomponent substance, for example, in food or biological fluids," said Denis Novikov, a postgraduate student at the Institute of Advanced Materials and Technologies. The key element of such devices is an SERS-active substrate on which an analyte is applied and which amplifies scattered (Raman) radiation as a result of interaction and reflection. The substrates available on the market degrade due to oxidation and active absorption of various air pollutants, so even in packed form they are stored only for three months, and after unpacking they are suitable for use for no more than a day, the scientists explained.
MIET's scientists together with Russian and Belarusian colleagues have created a more resistant to external influences substrate. According to them, this new development significantly improves accuracy of analysis and reduces its cost, as well as minimizes the requirements for storage and provides a longer service life.
"In our case, the SERS-active component (silver) is evenly distributed in a multicomponent thin film, which prevents its oxidation when the film comes into contact with the atmosphere, and thus allows the substrate to be stored indefinitely before activation. During activation, silver plasmon nanoparticles appear on the surface of the substrate. This, therefore, gives the necessary optical properties in the form of a giant Raman scattering effect," Dmitry Gromov, professor at the Institute of Advanced Materials and Technologies, explained. The proposed development is to be focused primarily on express medical tests and criminology. The activation of the substrate occurs due to the microwave radiation processing or other external energy effects. This means it can be prepared for use even in a conventional microwave oven, the scientists said.
"Using our substrate will make the analysis process noticeably more accessible, more accurate and cheaper. Our material surpasses all available on the market analogues in terms of durability," said Sergey Dubkov, associate professor at the Institute of Advanced Materials and Technologies.
In the future, the research team intends to develop similar substrates with plasmon particles of other metals, which will allow to expand the spectrum of substances detected using SERS sensors.
Source: RIA Novosti