Strategy for\nHighly Efficient Detection and Removal\nof Raman Inactive Leuco-Malachite Green on Environmentally Friendly\nGraphitic Carbon Nitride-Based Nanostructures

The\nsustainable identification and efficient degradation of some\nrecessive and seriously toxic pollutants are important issues in practical\napplications. Herein, a portable platform (EAl/ACN/Ag) constructed\nby growing AgNPs in situ in the cavities of the alkalized carbon\nnitride (ACN) coated on the etched Al sheet (EAl) is achieved. Interestingly,\non the constructed EAl/ACN/Ag substrate irradiated by light for 3\nmin, a Raman inactive leuco-malachite green (LMG: a highly toxic and\nenvironmentally persistent pollutant that is difficult to be found\ndue to being colorless) can be sensitively and selectively detected\nby surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (SERS). Results\ndemonstrate that the abundant <sup>•</sup>O<sub>2</sub><sup>–</sup>, <sup>•</sup>OH, and h<sup>+</sup> active species\nproduced by irradiation of the EAl/ACN/Ag are responsible for the\nsensitive and selective SERS detection of the Raman-inactive LMG.\nThe green and sustainable initiation in the sensitive SERS detection\nof LMG is greatly different from those by the traditional chemical\nprocess. The limit of detection of LMG can reach 8.99 × 10<sup>–13</sup> mol·L<sup>–1</sup>, which is superior\nto some other methods for LMG detection in real samples. In addition,\nthe EAl/ACN/Ag substrate displays excellent photocatalytic activity\nfor LMG molecules. The research will provide a new and green way for\nthe sensitive detection and efficient removal of some recessive and\ntoxic pollutants in food fields and environmental analyses.