CeNS researchers develop multi-layer nanomaterial to help detect harmful chemicals and explosives

Researchers from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS) have developed an innovative multi-layer nanomaterial that can help detect harmful chemicals, including explosives like TNT and RDX, at trace levels. This innovation is expected to boost airport security and environmental pollution monitoring.

According to the Department of Science and Technology, noble metals like gold and silver have traditionally been vital for signal enhancement.

However, the high cost of gold and the poor long-term stability of silver remain significant obstacles to their commercial viability.

The department said that in recent years, numerous methods have emerged to detect harmful chemicals that impact our daily lives. Among them, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has stood out for its exceptional sensitivity and reliability.

“SERS works by amplifying the molecular fingerprint signals of chemicals, allowing for precise identification even at extremely low concentrations,” it said.

Now the CeNS researchers have developed an innovative multi-layer nanomaterial combining reduced graphene oxide (rGO), silver nanoparticles (Ag), and cerium oxide (CeO₂) on a glass substrate.

The department said that each layer contributes a specific function, and the CeNS team fabricated the composite material using physical vapour deposition techniques, resulting in a uniform and scalable sensing platform.

“While silver nanoparticles are excellent at amplifying Raman signals, they are highly prone to oxidation, especially in humid or warm conditions—reducing their effectiveness over time. The coating of a thin layer of cerium oxide brings two key advantages. It enhances charge transfer between the material and the analyte, further boosting the fingerprint Raman signal of the analyte molecule and also acts as a protective barrier, shielding silver from humidity and temperature-induced degradation and ensuring long-term stability,” the department said.

Environmental chamber tests revealed that the substrate maintained its high performance even under extreme conditions—90% humidity and 70 °Celsius—proving its exceptional stability and reliability.

“Meanwhile, the rGO layer plays a crucial role, effectively quenching the overwhelming fluorescence emitted by silver nanoparticles, which would otherwise drown out the distinct Raman fingerprints of the analyte. This clever suppression ensures that the true detection signals shine through with clarity and precision,” it added.

The researchers demonstrated the material’s high performance using 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA) as a model analyte, achieving a detection limit as low as 10 nM.

“More impressively, the substrate demonstrated the ability to detect a wide range of explosives, including TNT and RDX, at nanomolar concentrations, highlighting its broad potential for trace-level contaminant detection,” the department said.