Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are highly toxic and harmful to human health and the ecological environment. As such, the rapid trace detection to POPs is very important. The surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect of nanostructures can greatly enhance the intrinsic Raman signal of these pollutants with rapid response. This is expected to achieve rapid trace detection to POPs using SERS spectrum technique, overcoming the shortcomings of traditional detection methods.

One of the most important challenges is to fabricate SERS substrates with high SERS activity and uniform signal response. Herein, we have fabricated orderly hexagonally arranged Ag-hemisphere arrays with rough surface (Ag nanoparticle@Au nanopartilcle, urchin-like Ag hemisphere, and flower-like Ag submicron particles) using anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. These nanostructures show high SERS sensitivity and uniform signals for the detection of plasticizer molecules and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs, a type of POP).