Detection of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) using gravure printed surface enhancement Raman spectroscopy (SERS) flexible substrate

In this work, gravure printing was used to fabricate a thin film of silver (Ag) nanoparticle ink on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheet as an efficient surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate. The printed SERS substrate was used for the detection of an explosive organic compound: 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT), in vapor phase. An enhancement factor of four, in the intensity of the Raman spectrum of DNT vapor, was observed when compared to target molecules absorbed on bare PET. An increase in temperature, from 25 °C to 65 °C, demonstrated an 85 % decrease in the intensity of the Raman signal. The results obtained show the capability of the printed SERS substrate to be used in applications for the detection of explosive organic compounds.