Non-toxic arsenic nanoparticles for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy applications

Abstract

In this study, we present green synthesis of Arsenic nanoparticles (As NPs) using different plant extracts. The resultant As NPs exhibit diverse sizes, shapes and assembly of nanotubules. In addition, As NPs have large band gap that ranges from 3.09 to 3.88 eV. They are enriched with defect states and exhibit multiple defect related photoluminescence. Owing to the aggregation and nanotubule assembly of As NPs, they are utilized for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensing application. Under the illumination of continuous wave 785 nm laser, these As NPs demonstrate the detection of Methylene blue dye molecules via non-plasmonic chemical enhancement of SERS signal with an enhancement factor of 10${}^3$. Intriguingly, As NPs exhibit non-toxicity towards specific microbes, suggesting safety in handling during experiments and potential applications in SERS imaging and biomedicines.

KEYWORDS:

• Arsenic nanoparticles
• defects
• non-toxic
• SERS
• enhancement factor

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

AT thankfully acknowledges DST-SERB, Government of India (File No. SPG/2022/000125), Seed Grant under the IoE scheme, BHU, Varanasi   and IUAC (UFRs 62301 and 71346), New Delhi for financial support. Department of Physics, Sikkim University thankfully acknowledges the financial support from DST-FIST. We are thankful to Dr. S Laishram at IBSD Sikkim Centre, DBT, Govt of India for assistance during antimicrobial efficacy test.