Two-dimensional self-assembled Au-Ag core-shell nanorods nanoarray for sensitive detection of thiram in apple using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

The development of substrate with high sensitivity and good reproducibility for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection of contaminants in foods has attracted more and more attention. Herein, a stable two-dimensional (2D) Au-Ag core–shell nanorods (Au@Ag NRs) nanoarray substrate with high-performance SERS activity was developed based on interface self-assembly strategy and successfully applied to the detection of thiram in apple sample. A broad linearity range of 0.01–10 mg/L and a low limit of detection of 0.018 mg/L were achieved for thiram solution. The substrate was stable and exhibited satisfactory sensitivity after preserving at ambient temperature for 4 weeks. Furthermore, this method presented the comparable result to that acquired from high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with satisfactory recoveries of 93–116%. The study indicated that the prepared Au@Ag NRs nanoarray substrate was promising for SERS detection of contaminants such as pesticides in foods.