Boron Nitride Nanosheets Improve Sensitivity and Reusability of Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that boron nitride nanosheets significantly enhance the sensitivity, stability, and reusability of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, addressing key limitations of current SERS substrates.

Contribution

Introduction of atomically thin boron nitride nanosheets as a novel SERS substrate with superior sensitivity, stability, and reusability compared to existing materials.

Findings

Raman sensitivity increased by up to two orders of magnitude.

BN nanosheets exhibit long-term stability and reusability.

Enhanced surface adsorption and thermal stability of BN nanosheets.

Abstract

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a useful multidisciplinary analytic technique. However, it is still a challenge to produce SERS substrates that are highly sensitive, reproducible, stable, reusable, and scalable. Here, we demonstrate that atomically thin boron nitride (BN) nanosheets have many unique and desirable properties to help solve this challenge. The synergic effect of the atomic thickness, high flexibility, stronger surface adsorption capability, electrical insulation, impermeability, high thermal and chemical stability of BN nanosheets can increase the Raman sensitivity by up to two orders, and in the meantime attain long-term stability and extraordinary reusability not achievable by other materials. These advances will greatly facilitate the wider use of SERS in many fields.