Competitive immunosensor for sensitive and optical anti-interference detection of imidacloprid by surface-enhanced Raman scattering.

The sensitive detection of pesticides in complex environment is important but still challenging in presence of organic-rich water sample and food matrix. Herein, we reported a nitrile-mediated SERS immunosensor for sensitive and optical anti-interference determination of imidacloprid. Raman tag contained CN bond could provide a sharp characteristic peak in the Raman-silent spectral window (1800 ~ 2800 cm-1), which could resist the optical noises from the fingerprint region (<1800 cm-1). Aucore-Agshell bimetallic nanocuboid (AuNR@Ag) connected with antigen and Raman tag was used as Raman probe, while Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticle functionalized with anti-imidacloprid antibody was applied as signal enhancer. Owing to the specific recognition ability between antigen and antibody, the competitive system with imidacloprid was formed. Under the optimal condition, the linear relationship was developed in the range of 10-400 nM. Finally, the SERS immunosensor was successfully applied to determine imidacloprid in real samples with recoveries from 96.8% to 100.5%.