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Surface-enhanced Raman effect on MoS2–WS2 composite structures

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Abstract

The extensive application of SERS requires a reduction in complexity and difficulty in substrate preparation. Here, the study proposes a simple yet effective technique for the synthesis of few-layered MoS2–WS2 composite structures and highlights the potential of these nano-composites as low-cost SERS substrates. A highly fluorescent dye, Rhodamine 6G (R6G) has been employed as a probe. A better enhancement ability was observed for the MoS2–WS2 nano-composite structures and a series of R6G signature peaks can be detected even down to 10–7 M concentration. The presence of surface roughness due to the formation of multiple inter- and intra-flake heterojunctions may provide a larger contact area between the substrate and the probe. Hence, the improved enhancement is probably due to the higher adsorption of the R6G molecules on the nano-composites and the effective charge transfer between them. Additionally, the detection ability of the MoS2–WS2 composite structures was sustained over a long period after storing the same at room temperature. The study provides a new incentive for metal-free low-cost SERS sensing by engaging 2D materials.

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Funding

This work was financially supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India [DST/INSPIRE/04/2016/002377].

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  1. Satyendra Nath Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Block-JD, Sector-III, Salt Lake, Kolkata, 700106, India

    Dipanwita Majumdar

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  1. Dipanwita Majumdar
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Conceptualization: Dipanwita Majumdar; Methodology: Dipanwita Majumdar; Formal analysis and Investigation: Dipanwita Majumdar; Writing—draft preparation: Dipanwita Majumdar; Funding acquisition: Dipanwita Majumdar; Resources: Dipanwita Majumdar.

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Majumdar, D. Surface-enhanced Raman effect on MoS2–WS2 composite structures. Appl. Phys. A 130, 289 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-024-07454-2

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