Ayhan, Muhammed EmreCeyhan, Ayhan Abdullah2025-04-132025-04-1320252468-0230https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2025.106308Ayhan, Muhammed Emre/0000-0003-2324-6858Silver nanoparticles (AgNps) supported sodium metaborate (SMB)-based substrates were developed as low-cost and robust platforms for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) applications. The substrates were fabricated with a simple nanostructure that ensured uniform distribution of AgNps on the SMB matrix. The SMB effectively modulated the physicochemical properties of the substrates and provided uniformity of the nanoparticles. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) analysis revealed a rough, uniform and thin substrate surface, which favored the adhesion of AgNps and the formation of hotspots. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis confirmed the elemental composition, with no evidence of unwanted chemical interactions between the AgNps and the SMB matrix. The SERS performance of the composite substrate was evaluated using two different probe molecules, Rhodamine 6 G (R6G) and crystal violet (CV). The prepared AgNps/SMB4L@SiO2 SERS substrate showed high sensitivity with a detection limit of 0.1aM and a high enhancement factor (EF) of 2.55 x 1011 and 6.37 x 1011 for R6G and CV, respectively. SERS studies revealed that a synergistic effect was achieved with the combination of SMB and AgNps and the developed substrates exhibited excellent SERS performance. The simple and environmentally friendly manufacturing process and low limit of detection (LOD) make these SERS substrates an attractive alternative to conventional SERS substrates for applications in the field of trace detection of analytes.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessAgnpsCrystal VioletRhodamine 6 GSersSodium MetaborateArticle10.1016/j.surfin.2025.1063082-s2.0-105000943285