Preparation of SiO2@Ag@molecular imprinted polymers hybrid for sensitive and selective detection of amoxicillin using surface-enhanced Raman scattering

•The combination of SERS technique and MIT technique will make SERS more valuable in practical application.•A molecular imprinted layer averagely thinner than 10 nm on SiO2@Ag.•A ultrathin imprinted layer can provide the effective mass-transfer channel for target molecules.•A satisfactory detection limit as low as 2.7 × 10-9 M was obtained.