A nonmetal substrate of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for trace fentanyl detection

Rapid detection and identification of opioids are of great significance and an urgent need in drug regulation and forensic science. Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic drug of abuse that unfortunately cannot be accurately detected. Therefore, techniques combining fast, highly sensitive and portable for fentanyl detection need to be developed. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has emerged as a promising detection technique owing to its high sensitivity and selectivity. Here, we reported a nonmetal SERS substrate used for trace fentanyl detection. The lowest detectable concentration was 10(-7) M, and the MoO2 substrate exhibited excellent thermal and chemical stability, which could even ensure high-temperature heating, laser irradiation, and corrosion of strong acid or alkali.