Multifunctional Ag-decorated g-CN nanosheets as recyclable SERS substrates for CV and RhB detection.

In this study, g-CN/Ag hybrid nanostructures were fabricated by facilely decorating silver nanoparticles on atmosphere-treated g-CN and served as efficient SERS-active substrates. The observed significant SERS enhancement of crystal violet (CV) molecules on g-CN/Ag could be attributed to the high ability to concentrate target molecules through π-π stacking interactions and the near-field enhancement caused by the boosting SPR effect of the Ag NPs. The atmosphere and calcination time have a considerable impact on the SERS enhancement effect of the g-CN/Ag substrate. Furthermore, it took only 10 min to degrade dye molecules under visible light, and after 6 cycles the g-CN/Ag substrates still maintained sensitive SERS activity. This research indicates that g-CN/Ag hybrids can be applied as reusable SERS substrates.