Transparent and flexible AuNSs/PDMS-based SERS substrates for in-situ detection of pesticide residues

Herein, we developed a PDMS-based flexible SERS substrate modified with gold nanostars (AuNSs) for in-situ detection of pesticide residues on fruit surfaces. AuNSs with sharp branches were assembled on aminated PDMS membrane by chemical bonding effect. The AuNSs/PDMS substrate showed good signal uniformity, stability and sensitivity using the Raman signal molecule 4-MBA and the detection concentration of 4-MBA was as low as 10 −8  mol/L. Then the AuNSs/PDMS substrate was used to detect methyl parathion (MP) standard solution. A good linear relationship between SERS intensity at 1342 cm −1 and MP concentration was established in the range of 4 μg/mL–100 μg/mL, and the limit of detection was down to 1.946 μg/mL. Moreover, the AuNSs/PDMS substrate was directly covered on the surface of MP contaminated apple, and the Raman laser was incident from the back of substrate to achieve in-situ detection of pesticide residues. The recovery ratio indicated that the fabricated SERS substrate was realized successfully in real sample detection. AuNSs/PDMS substrate eliminates the requirement for sample pre-processing steps before testing, which can be used as a method for rapid inspection of pesticide in agricultural products on site.