2 research outputs found
Optimization of Parameters for the Quantitative Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Detection of Mephedrone Using a Fractional Factorial Design and a Portable Raman Spectrometer
A new optimization strategy for the SERS detection of
mephedrone
using a portable Raman system has been developed. A fractional factorial
design was employed, and the number of statistically significant experiments
(288) was greatly reduced from the actual total number of experiments
(1722), which minimized the workload while maintaining the statistical
integrity of the results. A number of conditions were explored in
relation to mephedrone SERS signal optimization including the type
of nanoparticle, pH, and aggregating agents (salts). Through exercising
this design, it was possible to derive the significance of each of
the individual variables, and we discovered four optimized SERS protocols
for which the reproducibility of the SERS signal and the limit of
detection (LOD) of mephedrone were established. Using traditional
nanoparticles with a combination of salts and pHs, it was shown that
the relative standard deviations of mephedrone-specific Raman peaks
were as low as 0.51%, and the LOD was estimated to be around 1.6 μg/mL
(9.06 × 10<sup>–6</sup> M), a detection limit well beyond
the scope of conventional Raman and extremely low for an analytical
method optimized for quick and uncomplicated in-field use
Optimization of Parameters for the Quantitative Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Detection of Mephedrone Using a Fractional Factorial Design and a Portable Raman Spectrometer
A new optimization strategy for the SERS detection of
mephedrone
using a portable Raman system has been developed. A fractional factorial
design was employed, and the number of statistically significant experiments
(288) was greatly reduced from the actual total number of experiments
(1722), which minimized the workload while maintaining the statistical
integrity of the results. A number of conditions were explored in
relation to mephedrone SERS signal optimization including the type
of nanoparticle, pH, and aggregating agents (salts). Through exercising
this design, it was possible to derive the significance of each of
the individual variables, and we discovered four optimized SERS protocols
for which the reproducibility of the SERS signal and the limit of
detection (LOD) of mephedrone were established. Using traditional
nanoparticles with a combination of salts and pHs, it was shown that
the relative standard deviations of mephedrone-specific Raman peaks
were as low as 0.51%, and the LOD was estimated to be around 1.6 μg/mL
(9.06 × 10<sup>–6</sup> M), a detection limit well beyond
the scope of conventional Raman and extremely low for an analytical
method optimized for quick and uncomplicated in-field use