Attomolar detection of 4-aminothiophenol by SERS using silver nanodendrites decorated with gold nanoparticles.

In the present work we report a simple, fast, reproducible and cheap methodology for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate fabrication of silver dendritic nanostructures (prepared by electrodeposition) decorated with gold nanospheres by electrophoretic deposition. This is the first report where a metal dendritic nanostructure has been decorated with another type of metal nanoparticles by this technique. The decorated nanostructures were used directly as SERS substrate using 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) as analyte.

Zeptomolar detection of 4-aminothiophenol by SERS using silver nanodendrites decorated with gold nanoparticles.

In the present work, we report a simple, fast, reproducible and cheap methodology for SERS substrate fabrication of silver dendritic nanostructures (prepared by electrodeposition) decorated with gold nanospheres by electrophoretic deposition. This is the first report where a metal dendritic nanostructure has been decorated with another type of metal nanoparticles by this technique. The decorated nanostructures were used directly as SERS substrate using 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) as analyte.

Continuous Segmented-Flow Synthesis of Ag and Au Nanoparticles Using a Low Cost Microfluidic PTFE Tubing Reactor.

We present in here a simple and low cost continuous segmented-flow process for the synthesis of Ag and Au spherical-shaped nanoparticles. Different residence times (RT) were used to perform the nanoparticle synthesis, observing that at low RT, the Ag nanoparticles production, which uses a fast reduction reaction with NaBH, is improved due to an enhancement in the mixing of the reactants. However, the flow conditions have an opposite effect in the case of Au nanoparticles synthesis.

Electrodeposition of plasmonic bimetallic Ag-Cu nanodendrites and their application as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates.

Plasmonic bimetallic Ag-Cu nanodendrites were synthesized by an electrodeposition process and their potential as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates was studied. We demonstrated a facile and efficient way for the preparation of highly sensitive SERS substrates. The electrodeposition time was an important parameter in the formation of Ag-Cu dendrites onto the Al sheet.

Microfluidics and Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy: A Perfect Match for New Analytical Tools.

In this perspective article, we emphasize the combination of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) and Microfluidic devices. SERS approaches have been widely studied and used for multiple applications including trace molecules detection, in situ analysis of biological samples and monitoring or, all of them with good results, however still with limitations of the technique, for example regarding with improved precision and reproducibility. These implications can be overcome by microfluidic approaches.

Study of PVD AlCrN Coating for Reducing Carbide Cutting Tool Deterioration in the Machining of Titanium Alloys.

The manufacture of medical and aerospace components made of titanium alloys and other difficult-to-cut materials requires the parallel development of high performance cutting tools coated with materials capable of enhanced tribological and resistance properties. In this matter, a thin nanocomposite film made out of AlCrN (aluminum-chromium-nitride) was studied in this research, showing experimental work in the deposition process and its characterization. A heat-treated monolayer coating, competitive with other coatings in the machining of titanium alloys, was analyzed.