Surface-enhanced Raman scattering from individual au nanoparticles and nanoparticle dimer substrates

Morphological effects on surface-enhanced Raman scattering from silver butterfly wing scales synthesized via photoreduction

Through a simple room-temperature photoreduction process, this letter conformally replicates 3D submicrometer structures of wing scales from two butterfly species into Ag to generate practical surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates. The Ag replicas of butterfly scales with higher structural periodicity are able to detect rhodamine 6G at a low concentration down to 10(-9) M, which is three orders of magnitude lower than the detectable concentration limit of using quasi-periodic Ag butterfly structures. This result presents a way to select suitable scale morphologies from 174,500 species of Lepidopterans to replicate, as consumable SERS substrates with low cost and high reproducibility.

Directional double Fano resonances in plasmonic hetero-oligomers

We experimentally demonstrate for the first time a very compact plasmonic hetero-oligomer structure where the multiple radiant and subradiant modes can be tailored independently. Unlike previous approaches based on collective excitations in complex plasmonic systems, we show precise engineering of resonances leading to simultaneous spectral overlap of multiple plasmonic modes with opposite radiative character. This asymmetric behavior combined with inherent spatial features of the structure leads to directional double Fano resonances as shown with numerical analysis. A model based on temporal coupled mode theory is also provided to describe the double Fano behavior.

Fast and cost-effective purification of gold nanoparticles in the 20-250 nm size range by continuous density gradient centrifugation

A multilayer quasi-continuous density gradient centrifugation method for separating 20-250 nm metal colloids with high size resolution while maintaining particle stability is presented. Colloidal mixtures containing monodisperse gold nanospheres and clusters thereof, in particular, gold dimers, are purified with yields up to 94%. The rapid method uses standard laboratory equipment.

Graphene plasmonics: a platform for strong light-matter interactions

Graphene plasmons provide a suitable alternative to noble-metal plasmons because they exhibit much tighter confinement and relatively long propagation distances, with the advantage of being highly tunable via electrostatic gating. Here, we propose to use graphene plasmons as a platform for strongly enhanced light-matter interactions. Specifically, we predict unprecedented high decay rates of quantum emitters in the proximity of a carbon sheet, observable vacuum Rabi splittings, and extinction cross sections exceeding the geometrical area in graphene nanoribbons and nanodisks. Our theoretical results provide the basis for the emerging and potentially far-reaching field of graphene plasmonics, offering an ideal platform for cavity quantum electrodynamics, and supporting the possibility of single-molecule, single-plasmon devices.

Double resonance surface enhanced Raman scattering substrates: an intuitive coupled oscillator model

The strong coupling between localized surface plasmons and surface plasmon polaritons in a double resonance surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate is described by a classical coupled oscillator model. The effects of the particle density, the particle size and the SiO2 spacer thickness on the coupling strength are experimentally investigated. We demonstrate that by tuning the geometrical parameters of the double resonance substrate, we can readily control the resonance frequencies and tailor the SERS enhancement spectrum.

Metallic membranes with subwavelength complementary patterns: distinct substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering

We present a detailed comparison of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) signals from metallic nanoparticle arrays and their complementary hole arrays. Using an analytical model for local field enhancement, we show that the SERS enhancements of the hole arrays are closely related to their transmission spectra. This trend is experimentally confirmed and characterized by a cos(4 )θ dependence of the SERS signal on the excitation polarization angle θ. The particle arrays, on the other hand, exhibit quite different behavior because of the existence of considerable evanescent modes in the near field. Their maximal local field gains appear at wavelengths generally much larger than their localized surface plasmonic resonant wavelengths.

Ultrafast dynamics of surface-enhanced Raman scattering due to Au nanostructures

Ultrafast dynamics of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) was investigated at cleaved graphite surfaces bearing deposited gold (Au) nanostructures (∼10 nm in diameter) by using sensitive pump-probe reflectivity spectroscopy with ultrashort (7.5 fs) laser pulses. We observed enhancement of phonon amplitudes (C═C stretching modes) in the femtosecond time domain, considered to be due to the enhanced electromagnetic (EM) field around the Au nanostructures. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) calculations confirmed the EM enhancement. The enhancement causes drastic increase of coherent D-mode (40 THz) phonon amplitude and nanostructure-dependent changes in the amplitude and dephasing time of coherent G-mode (47 THz) phonons. This methodology should be suitable to study the basic mechanism of SERS and may also find application in nanofabrication.

Highly-ordered, 3D petal-like array for surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Despite the great potential of the application of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), the difficulty in fabricating suitable SERS substrates is still a problem. Based on the self-assembly of silica nanoparticles, a simple method is here proposed to fabricate a highly-ordered, 3D, petal-like arrayed structure (3D PLAS) that serves as a promising SERS substrate for both its high reproducibility and enormous SERS enhancement. Such a novel structure is easily achieved by anisotropically etching a self-assembly bilayer of silica nanoparticles, followed by metal deposition. The SERS performance of the 3D PLAS and its relationship with the main parameters, including the etching time, the diameter of silica nanoparticles, and the deposited metal film, are characterized using 632.8 nm incident light. With Rhodamine 6G as a probe molecule, the spatially averaged SERS enhancement factor is on the order of 5 × 10(7) and the local enhancement factor is much higher, both of which can be improved further by optimizing the parameters.

Nanoparticle-coated PDMS elastomers for enhancement of Raman scattering

A simple but efficient method for highly sensitive Raman detection, covering a thin polydimethylsiloxane elastomer, pre-coated with a layer of Au or Ag nanoparticles, onto the detected substrate, is proposed. Moreover, this nanoparticle-coated PDMS elastomer can be used for chemical imaging with high sensitivity.

Structural and thermal studies of silver nanoparticles and electrical transport study of their thin films

This work reports the preparation and characterization of silver nanoparticles synthesized through wet chemical solution method and of silver films deposited by dip-coating method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), field emission transmission electron microscopy (FETEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) have been used to characterize the prepared silver nanoparticles and thin film. The morphology and crystal structure of silver nanoparticles have been determined by FESEM, HRTEM, and FETEM. The average grain size of silver nanoparticles is found to be 17.5 nm. The peaks in XRD pattern are in good agreement with that of face-centered-cubic form of metallic silver. TGA/DTA results confirmed the weight loss and the exothermic reaction due to desorption of chemisorbed water. The temperature dependence of resistivity of silver thin film, determined in the temperature range of 100-300 K, exhibit semiconducting behavior of the sample. The sample shows the activated variable range hopping in the localized states near the Fermi level.

Effects of a silicon probe on gold nanoparticles on glass under evanescent illumination

We have numerically investigated the influence of a nanoscale silicon tip in proximity to an illuminated gold nanoparticle. We describe how the position of the high-permittivity tip and the size of the nanoparticle impact the absorption, peak electric field and surface plasmon resonance wavelength under different illumination conditions. We detail the finite element method (FEM) approach we have used, whereby we specify a volume excitation field analytically and calculate the difference between this source field and the total field (i.e., scattered-field formulation). We show that a nanoscale tip can locally enhance the absorption of the particle as well as the peak electric field at length scales far smaller than the wavelength of the incident light.

Non aggregated colloidal silver nanoparticles for surface enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy

Silver nanoparticles with a tuneable λ max were produced as colloids by heterogeneous nucleation. The synthesis process is both fast and repeatable, producing stable PVA capped nanoparticles. The colloid's effectiveness in the SERRS system was investigated using Rhodamine 6G, R6G, Crystal Violet, CV, and Malachite Green, MG, as probe molecules. A clear sensing trend was observed, where the Raman signal emitted was significantly enhanced by the addition of silver nanoparticles. A build up of signal intensity is observed until an optimum ratio is achieved, followed by a decline in signal intensity as the concentration of nanoparticles is further increased. The sensing trend appeared to be dependant on the structure of these model molecules with similarly structured compounds exhibiting similar trends. Thus a maximum enhancement with the Ag: analyte molar ratio of ∼ 5.56: 1, was seen for CV and MG whereas R6G had a maximum enhancement at the Ag: analyte molar ratio of ∼ 2.25: 1.

Polarization-dependent scanning photoionization microscopy: ultrafast plasmon-mediated electron ejection dynamics in single Au nanorods

This work investigates plasmon-enhanced multiphoton scanning photoelectron emission microscopy (SPIM) of single gold nanorods under vacuum conditions. Striking differences in their photoemission properties are observed for nanorods deposited either on 2 nm thick Pt films or 10 nm thick indium tin oxide (ITO) films. On a Pt support, the Au nanorods display fourth-order photoionization when excited at 800 nm, a wavelength corresponding to their plasmon resonance in aqueous solution. A cos(8)(θ) dependence of the photoelectron flux on laser polarization implies photoemission mediated by the dipolar plasmon; however, no plasmon resonance signature is exhibited over the 750-880 nm range. Electromagnetic simulations confirm that the resonance is severely broadened compared to aqueous solution, indicative of strong interactions between the Au nanorod and propagating surface plasmon modes in the Pt substrate. On ITO substrates, by way of contrast, sharp plasmon resonances in the photoemission from individual Au nanorods are observed, with widths limited only by fundamental internal electron collision processes. Furthermore, the ensemble-averaged plasmon resonance for Au nanorods on ITO is almost unshifted compared to its frequency in solution. Both findings suggest that plasmonic particle-substrate interactions are suppressed in the Au/ITO system. However, Au nanorods on ITO exhibit a surprising third-order photoemission (observed neither in Au nor ITO by itself), indicating that electrostatic interactions introduce a substantial shift in the work function for this fundamental nanoparticle-substrate system.

Vertical optical antennas integrated with spiral ring gratings for large local electric field enhancement and directional radiation

We propose a device for reproducible achievement of enormous enhancement of local electric field intensities. In each device, a metallic spiral ring grating is employed for efficient excitation of local surface plasmon resonance in the tiny gap of a vertically oriented optical antenna. Radiation from the optical antenna is collimated by the ring grating which facilitates efficient collection. As a numerical example, for a gold nanosphere placed one nanometer above the center of a gold spiral ring grating, our simulations predict an increase in local electric field intensity of up to seven orders of magnitude compared to planewave illumination, and collection efficiencies of up to 68% by an objective with a numerical aperture of 0.7. Single molecule SERS application is discussed.

Site-selective localization of analytes on gold nanorod surface for investigating field enhancement distribution in surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Understanding detailed electric near-field distributions around noble metal nanostructures is crucial to the rational design of metallic substrates for maximizing surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) efficiency. We obtain SERS signals from specific regions such as the ends, the sides and the entire surfaces of gold nanorod by chemisorbing analytes on the respective areas. Different SERS intensities from designated surfaces reflect their electric near-field intensities and thus the distributions. Our experimental results show that approximately 65% of the SERS enhancement emanated from the ends of gold nanorods which occupies only 28% of the total surface area, quantitatively exhibiting the strongly localized electric field around the ends. The reliability and generality of the investigation is confirmed by employing analytes with different chemical characteristics: positively and negatively charged, neutral, hydrophobic and hydrophilic ligands, which are selectively adsorbed on the different sites. Numerical simulations of the electric near-field distributions around the nanorod are in well agreement with our experimental results. In addition, we observed that the SERS intensities of colloidal gold nanospheres are independent of surface areas being functionalized by analytes, indicating a homogenous electric near-field distribution around gold nanospheres.

DNA-gold nanoparticle reversible networks grown on cell surface marker sites: application in diagnostics

Effective identification of breast cancer stem cells (CSC) benefits from a multiplexed approach to detect cell surface markers that can distinguish this subpopulation, which can invade and proliferate at sites of metastasis. We present a new approach for dual-mode sensing based on targeting using pointer and signal enhancement using enhancer particle networks for detection by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). We demonstrate our concept to detect cell surface markers, CD44 and CD24, in three breast cancer cell lines to identify a CD44+/CD24- subpopulation of CSCs. The designed network structure can be well-controlled and has improved sensitivity compared to conventional approaches with ability to detect a single target on the membrane of a living cell. We have also developed a fractal approach to model the dimension of the network structure and developed an empirical relationship to estimate the number of particles in the network and its size. The empirical equation was validated with experiments and finite-difference time-domain simulations, and the cell phenotyping results were found to be in good agreement with published data from conventional sorting by flow cytometry.

Guided assembly of metal and hybrid conductive probes using floating potential dielectrophoresis

We present the site-selective, parallel and reproducible formation of conductive gold and tetrathiafulvalene-gold (TTF-Au) hybrid micro- and nanowires from their respective ion salt and cation-radical solutions. While the formation of micro- and nanowires by means of dielectrophoresis with directly coupled electrodes has been thoroughly investigated in recent studies, we present here the first relevant example of metal and hybrid wire assembly obtained by floating potential dielectrophoresis. In this configuration, the assembly of micro- and nanowires is achieved by capacitively coupling a large electrode (bias electrode) to a conductive substrate (p-doped Si) separated by an insulating oxide layer. In contrast to former studies, this allows parallel production of micro- and nanowires with only one pair of electrodes connected to a sine wave generator. We further demonstrate that these structures are suitable probes for localized surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).

Anisotropic nanomaterials: structure, growth, assembly, and functions

Comprehensive knowledge over the shape of nanomaterials is a critical factor in designing devices with desired functions. Due to this reason, systematic efforts have been made to synthesize materials of diverse shape in the nanoscale regime. Anisotropic nanomaterials are a class of materials in which their properties are direction-dependent and more than one structural parameter is needed to describe them. Their unique and fine-tuned physical and chemical properties make them ideal candidates for devising new applications. In addition, the assembly of ordered one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) arrays of anisotropic nanoparticles brings novel properties into the resulting system, which would be entirely different from the properties of individual nanoparticles. This review presents an overview of current research in the area of anisotropic nanomaterials in general and noble metal nanoparticles in particular. We begin with an introduction to the advancements in this area followed by general aspects of the growth of anisotropic nanoparticles. Then we describe several important synthetic protocols for making anisotropic nanomaterials, followed by a summary of their assemblies, and conclude with major applications.

Raman spectroscopy for scavenging activity assay using nanoshell precursor nanocomposites as SERSprobes

In this work, we have developed a novel SERS-based approach to detect hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging activity by using gold nanoshell precursor nanocomposites (SiO2/GNPs) as nanoprobes. H2O2 can reduce AuCl4- to Au0 and enlarge the gold nanoparticles (GNPs) that attached on the surface of SiO2. As the concentration of H2O2 increases, the surface coverage of resultant gold on silica cores increases accordingly until continuous gold nanoshells (GNSs) are formed. During the growth process, there is a strong correlation between the SERS-activity of the GNSs and the amount of H2O2 that is used as reductant. When H2O2 reaches 250 μM, the resultant GNSs show the highest SERS-activity. H2O2 can be scavenged by antioxidants such as tannic acid and L-apple acid. Their H2O2 scavenging activities were determined by restraining the H2O2-mediated (250 μM) growth of SiO2/GNPs. The decrease of the SERS-activity was proportional to the H2O2 scavenging activity of the antioxidant. The results showed that tannic acid had a much higher H2O2 scavenging activity than that of L-apple acid.

Substrate-based platform for boosting the surface-enhanced Raman of plasmonic nanoparticles

Metal nanoparticles allow for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), with applications including spectroscopy and highly-multiplexed biolabels. Despite advances in nanoparticles design nanoparticles, the SERS from these systems is still weak when compared with randomly roughened substrates, and this limits their efficacy for many applications. Here, we coherently boost the SERS signal of colloidally-synthesized silver nano-prisms over 50 × by using multilayer substrates. Theoretical calculations verify the enhancement, and uncover the near-field response. This points the way toward a versatile platform for greater SERS enhancement from nanoparticles.

Label-free detection of DNA hybridization using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy

The SERS spectrum of DNA is strongly dominated by the strong spectral feature of adenine at 736 cm(-1); the presence of adenine can serve as an endogenous marker for the label-free SERS-based detection of DNA hybridization when the probe DNA sequence is adenine-free. The substitution of 2-aminopurine for adenine on the probe DNA sequence enables the detection of a target sequence using SERS, upon hybridization of the target with the 2-AP-substituted probe DNA sequence.

Nanogap ring antennae as plasmonically coupled SERRS substrates

The fabrication, optical characterization, and application of a new generation of ultrasmall multiple-split nanoring antennae is reported. Using electron-beam lithography, splits of ≈6 nm are engineered into silver nanophotonic ring structures to create concentrated areas of localized field coupling, which can be exploited for enhanced plasmonic applications. The plasmonic properties of three devices, containing 3, 4, and 5 splits, which have been spectrally tuned to 532 nm, are compared. Using finite-element analysis, the distinct plasmonic characteristics of each structure are explored and a description is given of how variations in the surface charge distribution affect intersegmental coupling at different polarization angles. The impact these changes have on the sensory functionality of each device was determined by a competitive DNA-hybridization assay measured using surface-enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy. The geometry of these novel, circular, multiple-split rings leads to unique plasmon hybridization between the numerous segments of a single structure. This phenomenon is demonstrated to be applicable to extreme Raman sensitivity and may also find use in metamaterial applications.

Nanoparticle SERS substrates with 3D Raman-active volumes

This Perspective reviews a new class of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanoparticle substrates defined by their three-dimensional (3D) confinement of localized electromagnetic fields. First, we describe the critical design parameters and recent advances in nanofabrication to create reproducible nanoparticle assemblies for SERS. Next, we highlight a promising platform-gold nanopyramids-for testing how the local arrangement of particles in an assembly affects the overall SERS response. The dimensions and optical properties of the nanopyramids can be tuned easily, and their unique anisotropic shape allows them to be organized into different particle configurations with 3D Raman-active volumes. Because of their large hot-spot volumes, this unique class of nanoparticle substrates offers an attractive alternative for ultra-sensitive sensors and trace chemical analysis.

Single-step bifunctional coating for selectively conjugable nanoparticles

A single-step method to coat and bifunctionalize water-reduced gold nanoparticles (NPs) with two distinct reactive groups is reported. The coating is based on a peptide that bonds to the NPs surface by its N-cysteine amino acid, terminates with a C-terminal lysine, and stabilizes the colloids, thanks to the surface organization provided by the rest of the non-polar chain. The process yields stable, non-cytotoxic NPs presenting reactive amine and carboxylic groups on the surface; these allow rapid, selective and modular conjugation of virtually any chosen biomolecule or fluorophore. Functionalized and conjugated nanostructures are analyzed by electrophoresis, SEM, SERS; their biocompatibility and delivery capability are tested by cellular-uptake experiments.

Structure-activity relationships in gold nanoparticle dimers and trimers for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Understanding the detailed relationship between nanoparticle structure and activity remains a significant challenge for the field of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. To this end, the structural and optical properties of individual plasmonic nanoantennas comprised of Au nanoparticle assemblies that are coated with organic reporter molecules and encapsulated by a SiO(2) shell have been determined using correlated transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dark-field Rayleigh scattering microscopy, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) microscopy, and finite element method (FEM) calculations. The distribution of SERS enhancement factors (EFs) for a structurally and optically diverse set of nanoantennas is remarkably narrow. For a collection of 30 individual nanoantennas ranging from dimers to heptamers, the EFs vary by less than 2 orders of magnitude. Furthermore, the EFs for the hot-spot-containing nanoparticles are uncorrelated to aggregation state and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) wavelength but are crucially dependent on the size of the interparticle gap. This study demonstrates that the creation of hot spots, where two particles are in subnanometer proximity or have coalesced to form crevices, is paramount to achieving maximum SERS enhancements.

Construction of a ferritin dimer by breaking its symmetry

Ferritin has a mono-dispersed structure and biomineralization properties that allow it to form various kinds of nanoparticles and play an important role in modern nanotechnology. Independent nanoparticles synthesized in ferritin are valuable, but moreover a pair of nanoparticles can bring new properties different from those of the independent nanoparticles. In this study, by breaking ferritin's symmetry, we successfully produced ferritin dimers which provide real protein frameworks for nanoparticle dimer formation. Identical nickel hydro-oxide nanoparticle dimers were produced by simply biomineralizing ferritin dimers. The method presented here can produce multi-functional ferritin dimers with different kinds of nanoparticles.

Dynamic Imaging Analysis of SERS-Active Nanoparticle Clusters in Suspension

A novel wide-field approach for the real-time Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) imaging of multiple silver nanoparticle clusters suspended in solution is described. This method enables direct correlation of the SERS activity of a single nanoparticle aggregate and its size through measurement of the cluster diffusion coefficient and can also be performed in a high-throughput basis. As a first demonstration, we investigate the salt-induced aggregation of silver nanoparticles in the presence of a reporter tag molecule, which has a high affinity for the nanoparticle surface. In addition to tracking individual particles, direct comparison of Rayleigh and SERS videos of the same colloid solution enabled measurement of the fraction of individual clusters that are SERS active and the dependence of this value on the relative concentration of the tag molecule. Furthermore, given the ability to also rapidly profile any nonuniformity in particle size distributions, we expect this approach will not only provide a new tool for the fundamental understanding of SERS but also significantly contribute to the development of an array of emerging nanoparticle-enhanced biomolecule and imaging detection platforms.

Dispersion in the SERS enhancement with silver nanocube dimers

The SERS phenomenon was studied using a large set of silver nanocube dimers programmed to self-assemble in preset locations of a patterned substrate. This SERS substrate made it possible to demonstrate the dependence of the SERS enhancement on the geometry of the silver nanocube dimers and to quantify the dispersion in the SERS enhancement obtained in an ensemble of dimers. In addition to the effects of the gap distance of the dimer and the orientation of the dimer axis relative to the laser polarization on SERS enhancement, the data reveal an interesting dependence of the site-to-site variations of the enhancement on the relative orientation of the nanocubes in the dimer. We observed the highest heterogeneity in the SERS signal intensity with face-to-face dimers and a more robust SERS enhancement with face-to-edge dimers. Numerical calculations indicate that the plasmon resonance frequencies of face-to-face dimers shift considerably with small changes in gap distance. The resonance frequency shifts make it less likely for many of the dimers to satisfy the matching condition between the photon frequencies and the plasmon resonance frequency, offering an explanation for the large site-to-site variations in SERS signal intensity. These results indicate that plasmonic nanostructure designs for SERS substrates for real-world applications should be selected not only to maximize the signal enhancement potential but also to minimize the heterogeneity of the substrate with respect to signal enhancement. The latter criterion poses new challenges to experimentalists and theorists alike.

Plasmonics: an emerging field fostered by Nano Letters

While studies of surface plasmons on metals have been pursued for decades, the more recent appearance of nanoscience has created a revolution in this field with "Plasmonics" emerging as a major area of research. The direct optical excitation of surface plasmons on metallic nanostructures provides numerous ways to control and manipulate light at nanoscale dimensions. This has stimulated the development of novel optical materials, deeper theoretical insight, innovative new devices, and applications with potential for significant technological and societal impact. Nano Letters has been instrumental in the emergence of plasmonics, providing its readership with rapid advances in this dynamic field.

Gold nanoring trimers: a versatile structure for infrared sensing

In this work we report on the observation of surface plasmon properties of periodic arrays of gold nanoring trimers fabricated by electron beam lithography. It is shown that the localized surface plasmon resonances of such gold ring trimers occur in the infrared spectral region and are strongly influenced by the nanoring geometry and their relative positions. Based on numerical simulations of the optical extinction spectra and of the electric near-field intensity maps, the resonances are assigned to surface plasmon states arising from the strong intra-trimer electromagnetic interaction. We show that the nanoring trimer configuration allows for generating infrared surface plasmon resonances associated with strongly localized electromagnetic energy, thus providing plasmonic nanoresonators well-suited for sensing and surface enhanced near-infrared Raman spectroscopy.

Improved SERS performance from Au nanopillar arrays by abridging the pillar tip spacing by Ag sputtering

Ag-capped Au nanopillar arrays on a resin supporter (see left upper figure), with a typical adjacent pillar tip gap of 10 nm, show obviously higher surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensitivity (right column in red) than that of the bare Au nanopillar array while using 10 nM R6G as probe molecules. The large-area Ag-capped Au nanopillar array has potential in trace detection of special chemicals.

Preparation, Characterization, and Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Activity of Spherical α-Fe2O3/Ag Core/Shell Nanoparticles

Spherical α-Fe2O3/Ag core/shell nanoparticles were prepared by reducing Ag(NH3)2+ with formaldehyde using the seeding method. 3- Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) acts as a “bridge” to link between α-Fe2O3 core and Ag shell. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM, EDS, and Roman. The results show thatα-Fe2O3 cores are coated by Ag shell completely. The average size of α-Fe2O3/Ag nanoparticles is 95 nm and the thicknesses of Ag shell are 15nm in 3.7% HCHO and 1.0M AgNO3. The thickness of Ag shell can be tunable by changing reaction conditions, such as the concentration of AgNO3, reduction reaction rate. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect of the core/shell particles are measured with Pyridine (Py) as molecule probe. SERS indicate that the Raman signals of Py adsorbed on α-Fe2O3/Ag nanoparticles exhibit large enhancement at 1010 and 1038 cm-1 respectively. And the intensity of signals is enhanced with the increase of the thickness of Ag shell. The uniform and rough surface of α-Fe2O3/Ag particles exhibits strong SERS activity in 3.7% HCHO and 1.0M AgNO3. The spherical α-Fe2O3/Ag core/shell nanoparticles exhibit SERS activity.