Faculty Sponsor(s)
Elizabeth J.O. Atkinson
Location
Vivian A. Bull Music Center: Delkin Recital Hall
Subject Area
Chemistry
Description
Silica sol-gel materials doped with graphene oxide (GO) and TiO2 were investigated as possible reusable substrates for plasmon-free surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Sol-gels were prepared by the base-catalyzed hydrolysis of tetramethyl orthosilicate in the presence of GO and titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The characteristic Raman spectrum of GO was enhanced in the sol-gel materials with low titanium dioxide concentrations. Sol-gels were air-dried or heated under a nitrogen atmosphere to obtain xerogels. Analysis of the Raman spectra of xerogels obtained using the latter method indicated that there was a decrease in the oxygen content and a decrease in the defect density for GO within the silica matrix. This suggests that the carbon sp2 network was partially reformed within the xerogels, forming reduced GO/graphene. GO can be detected and reduced within silica sol-gel materials in the presence of TiO2, potentially providing a stable surface for reduced GO/graphene to promote charge transfer and enhance Raman scattering alongside TiO2. GO/TiO2-doped sol-gel materials are potential candidates to be used as highly stable, reusable, biologically-compatible, plasmon-free SERS substrates.
Recommended Citation
Pérez Morales, Luis and Atkinson, Elizabeth J.O., "Investigation of silica Sol-gel Materials Doped with Graphene Oxide and TiO2 as Substrates for Plasmon-Free Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy" (2018). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 82.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2018/all/82
Investigation of silica Sol-gel Materials Doped with Graphene Oxide and TiO2 as Substrates for Plasmon-Free Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Vivian A. Bull Music Center: Delkin Recital Hall
Silica sol-gel materials doped with graphene oxide (GO) and TiO2 were investigated as possible reusable substrates for plasmon-free surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Sol-gels were prepared by the base-catalyzed hydrolysis of tetramethyl orthosilicate in the presence of GO and titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The characteristic Raman spectrum of GO was enhanced in the sol-gel materials with low titanium dioxide concentrations. Sol-gels were air-dried or heated under a nitrogen atmosphere to obtain xerogels. Analysis of the Raman spectra of xerogels obtained using the latter method indicated that there was a decrease in the oxygen content and a decrease in the defect density for GO within the silica matrix. This suggests that the carbon sp2 network was partially reformed within the xerogels, forming reduced GO/graphene. GO can be detected and reduced within silica sol-gel materials in the presence of TiO2, potentially providing a stable surface for reduced GO/graphene to promote charge transfer and enhance Raman scattering alongside TiO2. GO/TiO2-doped sol-gel materials are potential candidates to be used as highly stable, reusable, biologically-compatible, plasmon-free SERS substrates.
