{
  "abstract": "Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) offers a powerful platform for ultrasensitive molecular detection, yet its performance is often limited by inefficient analyte transport to plasmonic hotspots. In this work, we present a hybrid microfluidic-SERS detection platform that integrates hydrodynamic focusing and electric field-induced migration to overcome diffusion limitations and enhance molecular delivery to the sensing interface. The system employs a sheath-flow microfluidic device with a thermally evaporated silver nanostructured substrate, serving both as a SERS-active surface and as an electrochemical working electrode. Rhodamine 6G, a model organic dye, was used to evaluate performance under four flow and biasing conditions. The strongest SERS signals were achieved under combined sheath flow and -1 V electric field, demonstrating a synergistic enhancement from both physical and electrokinetic focusing mechanisms. Quantitative analysis yielded Langmuir adsorption behavior over the tested range of concentration (0.1 nM-10 μM) and a limit of detection of 0.076 nM. Mechanistic confirmation was obtained through Stark-shift measurements of 4-mercaptobenzonitrile, which exhibited a measurable blue shift in the CN vibrational mode under +5 V bias, verifying the presence of localized electric fields at the metal-solution interface. This dual-mode transport-enhancement strategy provides a robust and generalizable method for improving sensitivity and control in microfluidic SERS detection platforms, with broad potential applications in biomedical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and trace contaminant analysis.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. schultz.133@osu.edu."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 2,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Monika Poonia",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-8531-1603"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Zachary D Schultz",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-1741-8801"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fdrgyb2hwtara.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1039/d6an00722h",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13651769",
  "id": "fdrgyb2hwtara",
  "issns": [
    "0003-2654",
    "1364-5528"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42852977",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2504|Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis and Applications"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7214622356",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": "PMC13651769",
  "pmid": "42852977",
  "published": "2026-10-27",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fdrgyb2hwtara.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:02Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42852977",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42852977"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "chemistry",
      "origin": "openalex:2504|Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis and Applications",
      "subfield": "materials-polymers"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Ultrasensitive SERS detection via hydrodynamic focusing coupled with electric field induced migration.",
  "title_text": "Ultrasensitive SERS detection via hydrodynamic focusing coupled with electric field induced migration.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:18:02Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fdrgyb2hwtara",
  "venue": "The Analyst",
  "versions": []
}