A silver trimesate organic framework as an ultrasensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate for detection of various organic pollutants

In recent times, there has been an outburst of research in the field of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for detecting trace-level molecules. The usability of plasmonic metal-organic framework serves as one of the fascinating approaches for high-performance SERS substrate. In this study, a silver trimesate organic framework [{Ag(H(2)btc)}{Ag-2(Hbtc)}](n) (H(3)btc = 1,3,5-trimesic acid) (Ag-BTC) was synthesized via coprecipitation method. The formation of Ag-BTC was confirmed by, X-ray powder diffraction, differential reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS), Field emission scanning electron microscope coupled with EDS, Transmission electron microscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The Ag-BTC1 exhibits high SERS sensitivity for the detection of R6G, RB and MB. The morphology of the Ag-BTC with numerous corners and edges provides high-density hotspot with enhanced EM-field. The characterization shows that the combination of localized surface plasmon resonance properties of Ag with high adsorption ability and remarkable structural versatility of organic framework induces ultrasensitive detection of various dye molecules. The analytical enhancement factor (AEF) was 10(7) (R6G), 10(6) (RB) and 10(5) (MB). The limit of detection of 10(-13) M for R6G and 10(-11) M for RB and MB shows good sensitivity. The excellent uniformity (RSD < 15%) was also observed. It is presumed from the results that Ag-BTC1 is a promising material for various SERS applications.