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Peer-reviewedCC BYThe Analyst

Ultrasensitive SERS detection via hydrodynamic focusing coupled with electric field induced migration.

  • Monika Poonia1
  • Zachary D Schultz1
  1. 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. [email protected].
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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.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{poonia2026ultrasensitive,
  title = {{Ultrasensitive SERS detection via hydrodynamic focusing coupled with electric field induced migration.}},
  author = {Monika Poonia and Zachary D Schultz},
  journal = {The Analyst},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1039/d6an00722h},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42852977},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Ultrasensitive SERS detection via hydrodynamic focusing coupled with electric field induced migration.
AU  - Monika Poonia
AU  - Zachary D Schultz
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/27
JO  - The Analyst
DO  - 10.1039/d6an00722h
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42852977
AB  - 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.
SN  - 0003-2654
SN  - 1364-5528
ER  -