We report for the first time the development of a new surface-enhanced Rama
n scattering (SERS)-active silver chloride silica-glass substrate prepared
by using in situ precipitation of silver chloride particles in sol-gel film
s as a precursor for nanoparticles of silver. The controlled precipitation
of silver chloride was achieved by the reaction of silver nitrate with tric
hloroacetic acid, which leads to a slow release of chloride ions. Silver ch
loride particles were reduced to silver nanoparticles by FeSO4. 7H(2)O. The
sol-gel films prepared exhibit good optical properties and induce a strong
SERS effect for several model compounds, including cresyl fast violet and
brilliant cresyl blue. Optimization studies of substrate preparation and co
ating conditions were performed and are discussed in detail. The performanc
e of this new substrate compares favorably with those of previously develop
ed silver-coated alumina substrates, The SERS spectra of other compounds of
environmental and biological interest, such as 1-aminonaphthalene, 2-amino
pyrimidine, pyridine and p-aminobenzoic acid, were investigated to illustra
te the usefulness of this novel type of SERS substrate for use in chemical
and biological analysis. Copyright (C) 1999 John Whey & Sons, Ltd.