Ultrasensitive detection of hazardous substances using a SERS platform based on gold-nanostar–silica aerogel nanocomposites

Key Points

• This research focuses on creating a sensitive platform for detecting hazardous organic substances using gold nanostar-silica aerogel nanocomposites.
• Fabrication of a 3D gold nanostar-silica aerogel SERS substrate via suspension self-assembly.
• Systematic evaluation of detection performance against various trace organic pollutants.
• Demonstrated successful sensitivity in detecting multiple trace organic pollutants.
• Validated the effectiveness of the AuNS-SA SERS substrate for environmental monitoring.