Fluorophore-assisted green fabrication of flexible and cost-effective Ag nanoparticles decorated PVA nanofibers for SERS based trace detection

•2,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole fluorophore was used to prepare in-situ cross-linked nanofiber that enables reductant-free, green synthesis of AgNPs on the surface.•AgNPs decorated PVA nanofibers was successfully prepared and used as SERS substrate.•AgNPs decorated PVA nanofibers SERS substrate was successfully applied to the ultra-sensitive detection of organic pollutants.•R6G and pNP molecules could be detected up to 10−13 M using AgNPs decorated PVA nanofibers SERS substrate.