Green fabrication of Au nanoparticles as SERS-active substrate for enhancement hydroquinone detection in cosmetics

The detection of hydroquinone (HQ) compounds in cosmetics is a recent challenge due to the limitations of analytical methods and instrumentation. In this research, Au nanoparticles with various concentrations were successfully fabricated, characterized, and used as active substrates at the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for HQ detection in cosmetics. The morphological images show the spherical-like structure of Au nanoparticles with an average size diameter of 16.06 nm. The crystalline plane of Au nanoparticles has a diffraction peak at the 2θ: 38.12°, 44.44°, 64.79°, and 77.79° related to miller indices of (111), (200), (220), and (311). The particle size distribution of Au colloid was 32 nm with a potential zeta charge value of − 28.5 mV. The HQ molecules are adsorbed on SERS active substrates with various concentrations of Au nanoparticles. Raman spectroscopy spectrum showed a significant increase in HQ molecules intensity peaks at 441, 797, 898, 1054, and 1162 cm−1, respectively. Colloids of Au nanoparticles implied potential as an active substrate in SERS-based detection and application.