Facile synthesis of Au/Al2O3 nanocomposites for improving the detection sensitivity of adenosine triphosphate

Alumina is widely recognized as chemically inert, and resistant to oxidation and high temperature. In this study, Au/Al2O3 nanocomposites (NCs) were prepared by a facile method and were used as a surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate for detection of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This Au/Al2O3-based SERS substrate demonstrated good sensitivity with the lowest detectable concentration of 5 × 10−9 M for ATP and a good linear relationship ranging from 5 × 10−5 to 5 × 10−9 M. The strategy of improvement of SERS detection sensitivity for ATP was based on the consideration of ATP captured by such SERS substrate via chelation of aluminum and phosphates, which was validated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In addition, alumina as a supporting material could be expected to prolong the stability of such a SERS substrate.