Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) are a renewable material used in many applications such as electronics, hydrogels and polymers. Many applications of CNF are driven by its’ native surface chemistry or by tailoring the surface chemistry. A common surface modification of CNF is TEMPO-oxidization, where surface primary hydroxyls are converted to surface carboxylate groups.<br/><br/>Our research aims to develop a water dispersible surface-enhance Raman scattering (SERS) substrate using noble metal decorated CNF. Generally, SERS analysis is performed using a solid-based substrate, where the analyte of interest is applied via a drop of solution, or by dipping the substrate in a contaminated solution. The main drawback of these substrates is the poor precision and slow analysis times. By using a solution-based substrate, we can mitigate poor analysis precision via excellent solution homogeneity and obtain faster analysis times through solution mixing. In the development of our substrate, we use highly oxidized CNF as a biotemplate for the synthesis of nanoparticles. The nanofibers have two important roles in the development of a water dispersible substrate: 1) carboxylated CNF are easily dispersed in water and 2) CNF act as a nucleation site for nanoparticle growth. In our work, metal nanoparticles have been grown in close proximity to each other on the nanofibers and used as a stable solution-based substrate.<br/><br/>The use of CNF as a biotemplate for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles and water dispersible SERS substrate is a value-added application for the forestry and pulp industry. Our substrate also shows potential as a field deployable substrate for rapid on-location analyses.

Cellulose nanofibers biotemplated metal nanoparticles as a water dispersible SERS substrate

2019 Fall National Meeting

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