Addressing SERS challenges of nanoplastics with vertical plasmonic substratesShvalya, Vasyl (Avtor) Santhosh, Neelakandan Marath (Avtor) Vengust, Damjan (Avtor) Radošević, Tina (Avtor) Podlogar, Matejka (Avtor) Milanič, Matija (Avtor) Kondo, Hiroki (Avtor) Hori, Masaru (Avtor) Cvelbar, Uroš (Avtor) nanoplasticssurface enhanced Raman scatteringSERSvertical nanostructuresplasmonicsnanowalls2D nanowallsNanoplastics, an increasingly concerning environmental pollutant, are extremely difficult to detect using conventional analytical techniques. Many methods fail in this regard, but surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) offers a promising solution by utilising specialised nanostructures that amplify signals. In this study, we build upon previous nanoparticle-based advancements by introducing grating-like 2D carbon nanowalls with controlled spacing. When coated with a thin gold layer, this network of vertically aligned nanowalls demonstrates high SERS signal enhancement and stability, with measured values fluctuating only within a few per cent (RSD ⁓ 5%). This performance surpasses that of randomly assembled nanoparticle substrates reported in the state-of-the-art and other 3D substrates tested in this study, such as branched carbon nanotubes and vertically aligned carbon nanocones. Our primary objective was to demonstrate that the detection case “particle between the walls:” generates a signal up to an order of magnitude higher than the detection “on top of the ridges”. These results emphasise the importance of near-field enhancements when the investigated particles are in the proximity of hot junctions with confined electric fields. Finally, the vertical nanostructures that allow the trapping of particles between the walls reveal great promise for identifying ultra-small nanoplastics (100 nm and below) using SERS.20252025-05-29 12:15:24Članek v reviji169468sl