Surface-enhanced Raman scattering study of nano-sized organic carbon particles produced in combustion processes

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has been employed for the first time to characterize nano-sized organic carbon (NOC) particles produced in ordinary combustion processes. Ag-coated glass microparticles, used as SERS substrate, provide a Raman scattering cross section enhancement up to five orders of magnitude, which allows sample investigation at low concentration level. The observed spectral features supply a deeper insight on the chemical properties of the investigated combustion product. In addition, the high sensitivity of the SERS technique might be useful to test and characterize the toxicity of NOC particles.