1
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Bi X, He Z, Luo Z, Huang W, Diao X, Ye J. Digital colloid-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for the pharmacokinetic detection of bioorthogonal drugs. Chem Sci 2024:d4sc02553a. [PMID: 39144465 PMCID: PMC11320124 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc02553a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Bioorthogonal drug molecules are currently gaining prominence for their excellent efficacy, safety and metabolic stability. Pharmacokinetic study is critical for understanding their mechanisms and guiding pharmacotherapy, which is primarily performed with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry as the gold standard. For broader and more efficient applications in clinics and fundamental research, further advancements are especially desired in cheap and portable instrumentation as well as rapid and tractable pretreatment procedures. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is capable of label-free detection of various molecules based on the spectral signatures with high sensitivity even down to a single-molecule level. But limited by irreproducibility at low concentrations and spectral interference in complex biofluids, SERS hasn't been widely applied for pharmacokinetics, especially in live animals. In this work, we propose a new method to quantify bioorthogonal drug molecules with signatures at the spectral silent region (SR) by the digital colloid-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (dCERS) technique. This method was first validated using 4-mercaptobenzonitrile in a mixture of analogous molecules, exhibiting reliable and specific identification capability based on the unique SR signature and Poisson-determined quantification accuracy. We further developed a single-step serum pretreatment method and successfully profiled the pharmacokinetic behavior of an anticancer drug, erlotinib, from animal studies. In a word, this method, superior in sensitivity, controllable accuracy, minimal background interference and facile pretreatment and measurement, promises diverse applications in fundamental studies and clinical tests of bioorthogonal drug molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyuan Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200030 P. R. China
| | - Zhicheng He
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200030 P. R. China
| | - Zhewen Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200030 P. R. China
| | - Wensi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200030 P. R. China
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201210 P. R. China
| | - Xingxing Diao
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201210 P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 P. R. China
| | - Jian Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200030 P. R. China
- Institute of Medical Robotics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200127 P. R. China
- Sixth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200233 P. R. China
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2
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Le Ru EC, Auguié B. Enhancement Factors: A Central Concept during 50 Years of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy. ACS NANO 2024; 18:9773-9783. [PMID: 38529815 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c01474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
In this Perspective, we provide an overview of the core concepts around surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) enhancement factors (EFs), including both theoretical and experimental considerations: EF definitions, the distinction between maximum and average EFs, EF distribution and hot-spot localization, EF measurement and its order of magnitude. We then highlight some of the current challenges in this field, focusing on a selection of topics that we feel are both topical and important: analyte-capture onto a SERS substrate, surface-enhanced resonant Raman scattering, orientation/tensorial effects, and nonradiative effects. We hope this Perspective can provide a platform to reflect on the past 50 years of SERS and its future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric C Le Ru
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Baptiste Auguié
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
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3
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Fan X, Zhang H, Zhao X, Lv K, Zhu T, Xia Y, Yang C, Bai C. Three-dimensional SERS sensor based on the sandwiched G@AgNPs@G/PDMS film. Talanta 2021; 233:122481. [PMID: 34215109 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) SERS substrate with the denser "hotspots" is synthesized by the constriction of PDMS film decorated with sandwiched graphene@AgNPs@graphene (G@AgNPs@G) nanostructure. Graphene layers above and below the AgNPs are used to absorb molecules onto the "hotspots", and prevent the oxidation of AgNPs in our design. PDMS films can be easily shrunk for 3D structures, causing advantages in enhancement ability and light-matter interaction. Benefiting from the above advantages, a detection limit of 10-14 M (CV) and enhancement factor (EF) of 3.9 × 109 were obtained in our experiment. Theoretical analyses (FDTD) were also used to study the enhancement mechanism. For practical purposes, in-situ detection of MG molecules on the fish surface and the label-free detection of DNA base of adenine (A) and cytosine (C) were also studied. The high enhancement factor, great sensitivity, reliability, and stability of substrate reasonably proved that it can be used as an excellent SERS substrate for biomolecular detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Fan
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Nano-Photonics and Nano-Structure (NPNS) Center for Condensed Matter Physics Department of Physics, Capital Normal University, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - XinRu Zhao
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Ke Lv
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Tiying Zhu
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Yaping Xia
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Cheng Yang
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China.
| | - Chengjie Bai
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China.
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4
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Olson JE, Hu Z, Best MD, Jensen L, Camden JP. Surface-enhanced hyper-Raman scattering of Rhodamine 6G isotopologues: Assignment of lower vibrational frequencies. J Chem Phys 2021; 154:034703. [PMID: 33499640 DOI: 10.1063/5.0031679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
We report a comprehensive experimental and theoretical study of the lower-wavenumber vibrational modes in the surface-enhanced hyper-Raman scattering (SEHRS) of Rhodamine 6G (R6G) and its isotopologue R6G-d4. Measurements acquired on-resonance with two different electronic states, S1 and S2, are compared to the time-dependent density functional theory computations of the resonance hyper-Raman spectra and electrodynamics-quantum mechanical computations of the SEHRS spectra on-resonance with S1 and S2. After accounting for surface orientation, we find excellent agreement between experiment and theory for both R6G and its isotopologue. We then present a detailed analysis of the complex vibronic coupling effects in R6G and the importance of surface orientation for characterizing the system. This combination of theory and experiment allows, for the first time, an unambiguous assignment of lower-wavenumber vibrational modes of R6G and its isotopologue R6G-d4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob E Olson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556-5670, USA
| | - Zhongwei Hu
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, 104 Chemistry Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-4615, USA
| | - Michael D Best
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, 1420 Circle Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA
| | - Lasse Jensen
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, 104 Chemistry Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-4615, USA
| | - Jon P Camden
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556-5670, USA
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5
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Zong C, Chen CJ, Wang X, Hu P, Liu GK, Ren B. Single-Molecule Level Rare Events Revealed by Dynamic Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy. Anal Chem 2020; 92:15806-15810. [PMID: 33237721 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c02936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful tool to monitor various interfacial behaviors providing molecular level information with high spatial and temporal resolutions. However, it is a challenge to obtain SERS spectra with high quality for analytes having a weak binding affinity with plasmonic nanostructures due to the short dwell time of the analyte on the surface. Here, we employed dynamic SERS, an acquisition method consisting of the rapid acquisition of a series of consecutive SERS spectra, to study the adsorption/desorption behavior of R6G on Ag surfaces. We demonstrated that the signal-noise ratio of SERS spectra of mobile molecules can be improved by dynamic SERS even when the acquisition time cannot catch up with the diffusion time of the molecule. More interestingly, we captured the neutral R6G0 state (spectroscopically different from the dominated positive R6G+ state) of R6G at the single-molecule level, which is a rare molecule event hardly detectable by traditional SERS. Dynamic SERS provides near real-time molecular vibrational information with an improved signal-noise ratio, which opens a new avenue to capture metastable or rare molecule events for the comprehensive understanding of interfacial processes related to catalysis and life science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Chan-Juan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Pei Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Guo-Kun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, Center for Marine Environmental Chemistry & Toxicology, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Bin Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
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6
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Li R, Gui B, Mao H, Yang Y, Chen D, Xiong J. Self-Concentrated Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering-Active Droplet Sensor with Three-Dimensional Hot Spots for Highly Sensitive Molecular Detection in Complex Liquid Environments. ACS Sens 2020; 5:3420-3431. [PMID: 32929960 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.0c01276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In this work, a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-active droplet with three-dimensional (3D) hot spots prepared from a superhydrophobic SERS substrate, which is inspired by the nut wizard strategy, was developed for ultrasensitive detection in complex liquid environments. The SERS substrate was composed of silver-capped parylene C-coated carbon nanoparticles (Ag-PC@CNPs). Such a SERS substrate was prepared by candle-soot deposition to provide a porous carbon nanoparticle layer followed by deposition of a parylene C film to protect the CNPs and then sputtering of silver nanoparticles. Similar to a nut wizard, a droplet rolling on the Ag-PC@CNP-coated substrate picked up the Ag-PC@CNPs. In this way, a self-concentrated and extremely sensitive SERS-active droplet sensor with 3D hot spots was formed. The sensor did not require precise laser focusing and showed relatively high repeatability and much higher sensitivity than those of a corresponding SERS substrate with two-dimensional hot spots. The sensor also achieved high sensitivity and specificity in complex liquid environments; in addition, bovine serum albumin with a concentration as low as 1 pM can be achieved. Consequently, an extremely simple, flexible, and highly sensitive SERS detection technique applicable to liquid biopsy analysis is anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruirui Li
- Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
- National Key Laboratory for Electronic Measurement Technology, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, P.R. China
| | - Bo Gui
- Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Haiyang Mao
- Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
- Advanced Sensing Department, Wuxi Internet of Things Innovation Center Co. Ltd., Wuxi 214001, P.R. China
| | - Yudong Yang
- Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Dapeng Chen
- Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
- Advanced Sensing Department, Wuxi Internet of Things Innovation Center Co. Ltd., Wuxi 214001, P.R. China
| | - Jijun Xiong
- National Key Laboratory for Electronic Measurement Technology, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, P.R. China
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7
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Pilot R, Signorini R, Durante C, Orian L, Bhamidipati M, Fabris L. A Review on Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering. BIOSENSORS 2019; 9:E57. [PMID: 30999661 PMCID: PMC6627380 DOI: 10.3390/bios9020057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 337] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has become a powerful tool in chemical, material and life sciences, owing to its intrinsic features (i.e., fingerprint recognition capabilities and high sensitivity) and to the technological advancements that have lowered the cost of the instruments and improved their sensitivity and user-friendliness. We provide an overview of the most significant aspects of SERS. First, the phenomena at the basis of the SERS amplification are described. Then, the measurement of the enhancement and the key factors that determine it (the materials, the hot spots, and the analyte-surface distance) are discussed. A section is dedicated to the analysis of the relevant factors for the choice of the excitation wavelength in a SERS experiment. Several types of substrates and fabrication methods are illustrated, along with some examples of the coupling of SERS with separation and capturing techniques. Finally, a representative selection of applications in the biomedical field, with direct and indirect protocols, is provided. We intentionally avoided using a highly technical language and, whenever possible, intuitive explanations of the involved phenomena are provided, in order to make this review suitable to scientists with different degrees of specialization in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Pilot
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
- Consorzio INSTM, via G. Giusti 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Raffaella Signorini
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
- Consorzio INSTM, via G. Giusti 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Christian Durante
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
- Consorzio INSTM, via G. Giusti 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Laura Orian
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
- Consorzio INSTM, via G. Giusti 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Manjari Bhamidipati
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, 599 Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
| | - Laura Fabris
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Rutgers University, 607 Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
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8
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Harris R, Prakash J. Surface enhanced Raman scattering with methyl-orange on Ag-TiO2 nanocomposites: A computational investigation. J Mol Graph Model 2019; 87:220-226. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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9
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Bartolowits M, Xin M, Petrov DP, Tague TJ, Davisson VJ. Multimeric Rhodamine Dye-Induced Aggregation of Silver Nanoparticles for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering. ACS OMEGA 2019; 4:140-145. [PMID: 30729221 PMCID: PMC6356857 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b02970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Isotopic variants of Rhodamine 6G (R6G) have previously been used as a method of multiplexed detection for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), including protein detection and quantification. Challenges exist, however, with producing long-term stable SERS signals with exposure to silver or gold metal surfaces without the use of additional protective coatings of nanomaterials. Here, novel rhodamine "dimers" and "trimers" have been created that demonstrate a higher avidity for metal nanoparticles and induce aggregation to create plasmonic "hotspots" as indicated by enhanced Raman scattering in situ. These aggregates can be formed in a colloid, on surfaces, or membrane substrates such as poly(vinylidene fluoride) for applications in biosciences. The integrity of the materials and Raman signals are maintained for months of time on different substrates. These dye materials should provide avenues for simplified in situ generation of sensors for Raman-based assays especially in settings requiring highly robust performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew
D. Bartolowits
- Amplified
Sciences, LLC, 1281 Win
Hentschel Blvd., West Lafayette, Indiana 47906, United
States
| | - Meiguo Xin
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Dino P. Petrov
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Thomas J. Tague
- Bruker
Optics, Inc., 19 Fortune Drive, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Vincent Jo Davisson
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- E-mail:
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10
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Trujillo MJ, Strausser SL, Becca JC, DeJesus JF, Jensen L, Jenkins DM, Camden JP. Using SERS To Understand the Binding of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes to Gold Surfaces. J Phys Chem Lett 2018; 9:6779-6785. [PMID: 30350991 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.8b02764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Surface functionalization is an essential component of most applications of noble-metal surfaces. Thiols and amines are traditionally employed to attach molecules to noble-metal surfaces, but they have limitations. A growing body of research, however, suggests that N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) can be readily employed for surface functionalization with superior chemical stability compared with thiols. We demonstrate the power of surface-enhanced Raman scattering combined with theory to present a comprehensive picture of NHC binding to gold surfaces. In particular, we synthesize a library of NHC isotopologues and use surface-enhanced Raman scattering to record the vibrational spectra of these NHCs while bound to gold surfaces. Our experimental data are compared with first-principles theory, yielding numerous new insights into the binding of NHCs to gold surfaces. In addition to these insights, we expect our approach to be a general method for probing the local surface properties of NHC-functionalized surfaces for their expanding use in sensing applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Trujillo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame , Indiana 46556 , United States
| | - Shelby L Strausser
- Department of Chemistry , University of Tennessee , Knoxville , Tennessee 37996 , United States
| | - Jeffrey C Becca
- Department of Chemistry , The Pennsylvania State University , 104 Chemistry Building , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802-4615 , United States
| | - Joseph F DeJesus
- Department of Chemistry , University of Tennessee , Knoxville , Tennessee 37996 , United States
| | - Lasse Jensen
- Department of Chemistry , The Pennsylvania State University , 104 Chemistry Building , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802-4615 , United States
| | - David M Jenkins
- Department of Chemistry , University of Tennessee , Knoxville , Tennessee 37996 , United States
| | - Jon P Camden
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame , Indiana 46556 , United States
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11
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Subramanian S, Wu HY, Constant T, Xavier J, Vollmer F. Label-Free Optical Single-Molecule Micro- and Nanosensors. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:e1801246. [PMID: 30073717 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201801246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Label-free optical sensor systems have emerged that exhibit extraordinary sensitivity for detecting physical, chemical, and biological entities at the micro/nanoscale. Particularly exciting is the detection and analysis of molecules, on miniature optical devices that have many possible applications in health, environment, and security. These micro- and nanosensors have now reached a sensitivity level that allows for the detection and analysis of even single molecules. Their small size enables an exceedingly high sensitivity, and the application of quantum optical measurement techniques can allow the classical limits of detection to be approached or surpassed. The new class of label-free micro- and nanosensors allows dynamic processes at the single-molecule level to be observed directly with light. By virtue of their small interaction length, these micro- and nanosensors probe light-matter interactions over a dynamic range often inaccessible by other optical techniques. For researchers entering this rapidly advancing field of single-molecule micro- and nanosensors, there is an urgent need for a timely review that covers the most recent developments and that identifies the most exciting opportunities. The focus here is to provide a summary of the recent techniques that have either demonstrated label-free single-molecule detection or claim single-molecule sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivaraman Subramanian
- Living Systems Institute, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Hsin-Yu Wu
- Living Systems Institute, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Tom Constant
- Living Systems Institute, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Jolly Xavier
- Living Systems Institute, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Frank Vollmer
- Living Systems Institute, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
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12
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Yan W, Yang L, Chen J, Wu Y, Wang P, Li Z. In Situ Two-Step Photoreduced SERS Materials for On-Chip Single-Molecule Spectroscopy with High Reproducibility. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2017; 29:1702893. [PMID: 28718979 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201702893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
A method is developed to synthesize surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) materials capable of single-molecule detection, integrated with a microfluidic system. Using a focused laser, silver nanoparticle aggregates as SERS monitors are fabricated in a microfluidic channel through photochemical reduction. After washing out the monitor, the aggregates are irradiated again by the same laser. This key step leads to full reduction of the residual reactants, which generates numerous small silver nanoparticles on the former nanoaggregates. Consequently, the enhancement ability of the SERS monitor is greatly boosted due to the emergence of new "hot spots." At the same time, the influence of the notorious "memory effect" in microfluidics is substantially suppressed due to the depletion of surface residues. Taking these advantages, two-step photoreduced SERS materials are able to detect different types of molecules with the concentration down to 10-13 m. Based on a well-accepted bianalyte approach, it is proved that the detection limit reaches the single-molecule level. From a practical point of view, the detection reproducibility at different probing concentrations is also investigated. It is found that the effective single-molecule SERS measurements can be raised up to ≈50%. This microfluidic SERS with high reproducibility and ultrasensitivity will find promising applications in on-chip single-molecule spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Yan
- The Beijing Key Laboratory for Nano-Photonics and Nano-Structure (NPNS), Center for Condensed Matter Physics, Department of Physics, Capital Normal University, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
| | - Longkun Yang
- The Beijing Key Laboratory for Nano-Photonics and Nano-Structure (NPNS), Center for Condensed Matter Physics, Department of Physics, Capital Normal University, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
| | - Jianing Chen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Quantum Matter, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Yaqi Wu
- The Beijing Key Laboratory for Nano-Photonics and Nano-Structure (NPNS), Center for Condensed Matter Physics, Department of Physics, Capital Normal University, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
| | - Peijie Wang
- The Beijing Key Laboratory for Nano-Photonics and Nano-Structure (NPNS), Center for Condensed Matter Physics, Department of Physics, Capital Normal University, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
| | - Zhipeng Li
- The Beijing Key Laboratory for Nano-Photonics and Nano-Structure (NPNS), Center for Condensed Matter Physics, Department of Physics, Capital Normal University, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
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13
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Joshi PB, Anthony TP, Wilson AJ, Willets KA. Imaging out-of-plane polarized emission patterns on gap mode SERS substrates: from high molecular coverage to the single molecule regime. Faraday Discuss 2017; 205:245-259. [DOI: 10.1039/c7fd00163k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Gap mode surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates are created when a single nanoparticle is deposited on a thin metal film, creating a region of significant electromagnetic field enhancement in the gap between the nanoparticle and the film due to excitation of a vertically-oriented, out-of-plane dipole plasmon mode, e.g. the gap plasmon. When molecules are located in the gap and couple to the gap plasmon mode, the resulting emission is polarized perpendicular to the thin film, generating SERS emission patterns that have a characteristic donut shape. We analyze these SERS emission patterns using a dipole emission model and extract out-of-plane and in-plane emission angles associated with the gap plasmon mode. Fluctuations in both of these angles reveal dynamic heterogeneity due to molecular motion within the hot spot that changes as a function of molecular coverage. We also reveal static heterogeneity associated with structural defects in the thin film component of the gap mode substrates, indicating that even nanometer-scale surface roughness can impact the quality of gap mode emission.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. B. Joshi
- Department of Chemistry
- Temple University
- Philadelphia
- USA
| | - T. P. Anthony
- Department of Chemistry
- Temple University
- Philadelphia
- USA
| | - A. J. Wilson
- Department of Chemistry
- Temple University
- Philadelphia
- USA
| | - K. A. Willets
- Department of Chemistry
- Temple University
- Philadelphia
- USA
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14
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Lussier F, Brulé T, Vishwakarma M, Das T, Spatz JP, Masson JF. Dynamic-SERS Optophysiology: A Nanosensor for Monitoring Cell Secretion Events. NANO LETTERS 2016; 16:3866-71. [PMID: 27172291 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.6b01371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
We monitored metabolite secretion near living cells using a plasmonic nanosensor. The nanosensor created from borosilicate nanopipettes analogous to the patch clamp was decorated with Au nanoparticles and served as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate with addressable location. With this nanosensor, we acquired SERS locally near Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCKII) epithelial cells, and we detected multiple metabolites, such as pyruvate, lactate, ATP, and urea simultaneously. These plasmonic nanosensors were capable of monitoring metabolites in the extracellular medium with enough sensitivity to detect an increase in metabolite concentration following the lyses of MDCKII cells with a nonionic surfactant. The plasmonic nanosensors also allowed a relative quantification of a chemical gradient for a metabolite near cells, as demonstrated with a decrease in relative lactate to pyruvate concentration further away from the MDCKII cells. This SERS optophysiology technique for the sensitive and nondestructive monitoring of extracellular metabolites near living cells is broadly applicable to different cellular and tissue models and should therefore provide a powerful tool for cellular studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Félix Lussier
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal , C.P. 6128 Succ. Centre-Ville, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3J7 Canada
| | - Thibault Brulé
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal , C.P. 6128 Succ. Centre-Ville, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3J7 Canada
| | - Medhavi Vishwakarma
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research , Department of Biointerface Science & Technology, Jahnstraße 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tamal Das
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research , Department of Biointerface Science & Technology, Jahnstraße 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joachim P Spatz
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research , Department of Biointerface Science & Technology, Jahnstraße 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Biophysical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg , INF 253, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jean-François Masson
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal , C.P. 6128 Succ. Centre-Ville, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3J7 Canada
- Centre for Self-Assembled Chemical Structures (CSACS) , 801 Sherbrooke St. West, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2K6 Canada
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15
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Gawinkowski S, Pszona M, Gorski A, Niedziółka-Jönsson J, Kamińska I, Nogala W, Waluk J. Single molecule Raman spectra of porphycene isotopologues. NANOSCALE 2016; 8:3337-3349. [PMID: 26731569 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr08627b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Single molecule surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) spectra have been obtained for the parent porphycene (Pc-d0) and its deuterated isotopologue (Pc-d12), located on gold and silver nanoparticles. Equal populations of "hot spots" by the two isotopologues are observed for 1 : 1 mixtures in a higher concentration range of the single molecule regime (5 × 10(-9) M). For decreasing concentrations, hot spots are preferentially populated by undeuterated molecules. This is interpreted as an indication of a lower surface diffusion coefficient of Pc-d12. The photostability of single Pc molecules placed on nanoparticles is strongly increased in comparison with polymer environments. Trans tautomeric species dominate the spectra, but the analysis of time traces reveals transient intermediates, possibly due to rare cis tautomeric forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwester Gawinkowski
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 01-224 Warsaw, Kasprzaka 44/52, Poland.
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16
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Tallarida N, Rios L, Apkarian VA, Lee J. Isomerization of One Molecule Observed through Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy. NANO LETTERS 2015; 15:6386-6394. [PMID: 26348440 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b01543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
While exploring photoisomerization of azobenzyl thiols (ABT) adsorbed on Au(111), through joint scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) studies, the reversible photoisomerization of one molecule is captured in TERS trajectories. The unique signature of single molecule isomerization is observed in the form of anticorrelated flip-flops between two distinct spectra with two discrete, on- and off-levels. The apparently heterogeneously photocatalyzed reaction is assigned to cis-trans isomerization of an outlier, which is chemisorbed on the silver tip of the STM. Otherwise, the ensemble of ABT molecules that lie flat on Au(111) remain strongly coupled to the surface, excluding the possibility of photoisomerization or detection through TERS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Tallarida
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine , Irvine, California 92617-2025, United States
| | - Laura Rios
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine , Irvine, California 92617-2025, United States
| | - Vartkess A Apkarian
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine , Irvine, California 92617-2025, United States
| | - Joonhee Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine , Irvine, California 92617-2025, United States
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17
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Zong C, Chen CJ, Zhang M, Wu DY, Ren B. Transient Electrochemical Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy: A Millisecond Time-Resolved Study of an Electrochemical Redox Process. J Am Chem Soc 2015; 137:11768-74. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b07197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Chan-Juan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - De-Yin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Bin Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
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18
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Nogala W, Kannan P, Gawinkowski S, Jönsson-Niedziolka M, Kominiak M, Waluk J, Opallo M. Tailored gold nanostructure arrays as catalysts for oxygen reduction in alkaline media and a single molecule SERS platform. NANOSCALE 2015; 7:10767-74. [PMID: 26035214 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr02077h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Although plenty of functional nanomaterials are widely applied in science and technology, cost-efficient, controlled and reproducible fabrication of metallic nanostructures is a considerable challenge. Automated electrorefining by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) provides an effective approach to circumvent some drawbacks of traditional homogeneous syntheses of nanoparticles, providing precise control over the amount, time and place of reactant delivery. The precursor is just a raw metal, which is the most economically viable source. This approach ensures reproducibility and the opportunity for fabrication of micropatterns, which can be rapidly analyzed by scanning probe techniques. Here, a cost-effective methodology for the preparation of naked (ligand-free) metallic nanostructures, from polycrystalline gold using a moving microelectrode, is presented. Automated micropatterning of bare gold on indium tin oxide (ITO) demonstrates the versatility of this method to tune the size and shape of the nanostructures. The morphology of the obtained materials and thus their catalytic and plasmonic properties can be tuned using the electrorefining parameters. Programmable fabrication of sample microarrays by microprinting followed by comparative SECM studies or spectroscopic analysis allows quick optimization and characterization for specific purposes. Electrocatalytic oxygen reduction in alkaline media and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) of single porphycene molecules are presented as model examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Nogala
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224, Poland.
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19
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Feng C, Zhao Y, Jiang Y. Silver nano-dendritic crystal film: a rapid dehydration SERS substrate of totally new concept. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra11376d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This work provides a rapid dehydration SERS substrate with the potential of rapid, convenient and real-time SERS detection for practical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Feng
- Institute of Laser Engineering
- Beijing University of Technology
- Beijing
- PR China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Institute of Laser Engineering
- Beijing University of Technology
- Beijing
- PR China
| | - Yijian Jiang
- Institute of Laser Engineering
- Beijing University of Technology
- Beijing
- PR China
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20
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Santos EDB, Sigoli FA, Mazali IO. Facile synthesis of the dendritic structure of silver nanoparticles–chitosan and its application as an effective SERS substrate. NEW J CHEM 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4nj00841c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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21
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Darby BL, Le Ru EC. Competition between Molecular Adsorption and Diffusion: Dramatic Consequences for SERS in Colloidal Solutions. J Am Chem Soc 2014; 136:10965-73. [DOI: 10.1021/ja506361d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brendan L. Darby
- The MacDiarmid
Institute
for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology School of Chemical and Physical
Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Eric C. Le Ru
- The MacDiarmid
Institute
for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology School of Chemical and Physical
Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
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22
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Darby BL, Etchegoin PG, Le Ru EC. Single-molecule surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy with nanowatt excitation. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2014; 16:23895-9. [DOI: 10.1039/c4cp03422h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Bi-analyte experiments demonstrate that single-molecule detection via SERS can be achieved at ultra-low excitation powers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan L. Darby
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
- Victoria University of Wellington
- Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Pablo G. Etchegoin
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
- Victoria University of Wellington
- Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Eric C. Le Ru
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
- Victoria University of Wellington
- Wellington 6140, New Zealand
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23
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Wang H, Han X, Ou X, Lee CS, Zhang X, Lee ST. Silicon nanowire based single-molecule SERS sensor. NANOSCALE 2013; 5:8172-8176. [PMID: 23892767 DOI: 10.1039/c3nr01879b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
One-dimensional nanowire (NW) optical sensors have attracted great attention as promising nanoscale tools for applications such as probing inside living cells. However, achieving single molecule detection on NW sensors remains an interesting and unsolved problem. In the present paper, we investigate single-molecule detection (SMD) on a single SiNW based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor, fabricated by controllably depositing silver nanoparticles on a SiNW (AgNP-SiNW). Both Raman spectral blinking and bi-analyte approaches are performed in aqueous solution to investigate SMD on individual SiNW SERS sensors. The results extend the functions of the SiNW sensor to SMD and provide insight into the molecule level illustration on the sensing mechanism of the nanowire sensor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- Nano-organic Photoelectronic Laboratory and Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China
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24
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Willets KA. New Tools for Investigating Electromagnetic Hot Spots in Single‐Molecule Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering. Chemphyschem 2013; 14:3186-95. [DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201300297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2013] [Revised: 05/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A. Willets
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Welch Hall 1.202,105 E 24th ST, A5300, Austin TX 78712 (USA), Fax: (+1) 512‐471‐0985
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25
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Wang D, Zhu W, Best MD, Camden JP, Crozier KB. Directional Raman scattering from single molecules in the feed gaps of optical antennas. NANO LETTERS 2013; 13:2194-8. [PMID: 23550513 DOI: 10.1021/nl400698w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Controlling light from single emitters is an overarching theme of nano-optics. Antennas are routinely used to modify the angular emission patterns of radio wave sources. "Optical antennas" translate these principles to visible and infrared wavelengths and have been recently used to modify fluorescence from single quantum dots and single molecules. Understanding the properties of single molecules, however, would be advanced were one able to observe their vibrational spectra through Raman scattering in a very reproducible manner but it is a hugely challenging task, as Raman scattering cross sections are very weak. Here we measure for the first time the highly directional emission patterns of Raman scattering from single molecules in the feed gaps of optical antennas fabricated on a chip. More than a thousand single molecule events are observed, revealing that an unprecedented near-unity fraction of optical antennas have single molecule sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxing Wang
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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26
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Aoki PHB, Carreon EGE, Volpati D, Shimabukuro MH, Constantino CJL, Aroca RF, Oliveira ON, Paulovich FV. SERS mapping in Langmuir-Blodgett films and single-molecule detection. APPLIED SPECTROSCOPY 2013; 67:563-569. [PMID: 23643046 DOI: 10.1366/12-06909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Plasmon-enhanced spectroscopic techniques have expanded single-molecule detection (SMD) and are revolutionizing areas such as bio-imaging and single-cell manipulation. Surface-enhanced (resonance) Raman scattering (SERS or SERRS) combines high sensitivity with molecular-fingerprint information at the single-molecule level. Spectra originating from single-molecule SERS experiments are rare events, which occur only if a single molecule is located in a hot-spot zone. In this spot, the molecule is selectively exposed to a significant enhancement associated with a high, local electromagnetic field in the plasmonic substrate. Here, we report an SMD study with an electrostatic approach in which a Langmuir film of a phospholipid with anionic polar head groups (PO4(-)) was doped with cationic methylene blue (MB), creating a homogeneous, two-dimensional distribution of dyes in the monolayer. The number of dyes in the probed area of the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) film coating the Ag nanostructures established a regime in which single-molecule events were observed, with the identification based on direct matching of the observed spectrum at each point of the mapping with a reference spectrum for the MB molecule. In addition, advanced fitting techniques were tested with the data obtained from micro-Raman mapping, thus achieving real-time processing to extract the MB single-molecule spectra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro H B Aoki
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, UNESP Universidade Estadual Paulista, Presidente Prudente/SP, 19060-900, Brazil
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27
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Guerrini L, Graham D. Molecularly-mediated assemblies of plasmonic nanoparticles for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy applications. Chem Soc Rev 2013; 41:7085-107. [PMID: 22833008 DOI: 10.1039/c2cs35118h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) has experienced a tremendous increase of attention in the scientific community, expanding to a continuously wider range of diverse applications in nanoscience, which can mostly be attributed to significant improvements in nanofabrication techniques that paved the way for the controlled design of reliable and effective SERS nanostructures. In particular, the plasmon coupling properties of interacting nanoparticles are extremely intriguing due to the concentration of enormous electromagnetic enhancements at the interparticle gaps. Recently, great efforts have been devoted to develop new nanoparticle assembly strategies in suspension with improved control over hot-spot architecture and cluster structure, laying the foundation for the full exploitation of their exceptional potential as SERS materials in a wealth of chemical and biological sensing. In this review we summarize in an exhaustive and systematic way the state-of-art of plasmonic nanoparticle assembly in suspension specifically developed for SERS applications in the last 5 years, focusing in particular on those strategies which exploited molecular linkers to engineer interparticle gaps in a controlled manner. Importantly, the novel advances in this rather new field of nanoscience are organized into a coherent overview aimed to rationally describe the different strategies and improvements in the exploitation of colloidal nanoparticle assembly for SERS application to real problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Guerrini
- Centre for Molecular Nanometrology, WestCHEM, Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G1 1XL, UK
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28
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Lee HM, Jin SM, Kim HM, Suh YD. Single-molecule surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy: a perspective on the current status. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2013; 15:5276-87. [DOI: 10.1039/c3cp44463e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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29
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Wang Y, Irudayaraj J. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy at single-molecule scale and its implications in biology. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2012; 368:20120026. [PMID: 23267180 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2012.0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-molecule (SM) spectroscopy has been an exciting area of research offering significant promise and hope in the field of sensor development to detect targets at ultra-low levels down to SM resolution. To the experts and developers in the field of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), this has often been a challenge and a significant opportunity for exploration. Needless to say, the opportunities and excitement of this multidisciplinary area impacts span the fields of physics, chemistry and engineering, along with a significant thrust in applications constituting areas in medicine, biology, environment and agriculture among others. In this review, we will attempt to provide a quick snapshot of the basics of SM-SERS, nanostructures and devices that can enable SM Raman measurement. We will conclude with a discussion on SERS implications in biomedical sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuling Wang
- Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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30
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Mirsaleh-Kohan N, Iberi V, Simmons PD, Bigelow NW, Vaschillo A, Rowland MM, Best MD, Pennycook SJ, Masiello DJ, Guiton BS, Camden JP. Single-Molecule Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering: Can STEM/EELS Image Electromagnetic Hot Spots? J Phys Chem Lett 2012; 3:2303-2309. [PMID: 26295787 DOI: 10.1021/jz300967q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Since the observation of single-molecule surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SMSERS) in 1997, questions regarding the nature of the electromagnetic hot spots responsible for such observations still persist. For the first time, we employ electron-energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) to obtain maps of the localized surface plasmon modes of SMSERS-active nanostructures, which are resolved in both space and energy. Single-molecule character is confirmed by the bianalyte approach using two isotopologues of Rhodamine 6G. Surprisingly, the STEM/EELS plasmon maps do not show any direct signature of an electromagnetic hot spot in the gaps between the nanoparticles. The origins of this observation are explored using a fully three-dimensional electrodynamics simulation of both the electron-energy-loss probability and the near-electric field enhancements. The calculations suggest that electron beam excitation of the hot spot is possible, but only when the electron beam is located outside of the junction region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasrin Mirsaleh-Kohan
- †Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Vighter Iberi
- †Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Philip D Simmons
- †Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Nicholas W Bigelow
- ‡Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Alex Vaschillo
- ‡Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Meng M Rowland
- †Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Michael D Best
- †Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Stephen J Pennycook
- §Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
- ∥Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - David J Masiello
- ‡Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Beth S Guiton
- §Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
- ⊥Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Jon P Camden
- †Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
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31
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dos Santos DP, Temperini MLA, Brolo AG. Mapping the energy distribution of SERRS hot spots from anti-Stokes to Stokes intensity ratios. J Am Chem Soc 2012; 134:13492-500. [PMID: 22804227 DOI: 10.1021/ja305580t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The anomalies in the anti-Stokes to Stokes intensity ratios in single-molecule surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering were investigated. Brilliant green and crystal violet dyes were the molecular probes, and the experiments were carried out on an electrochemically activated Ag surface. The results allowed new insights into the origin of these anomalies and led to a new method to confirm the single-molecule regime in surface-enhanced Raman scattering. Moreover, a methodology to estimate the distribution of resonance energies that contributed to the imbalance in the anti-Stokes to Stokes intensity ratios at the electromagnetic hot spots was proposed. This method allowed the local plasmonic resonance energies on the metallic surface to be spatially mapped.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego P dos Santos
- Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, CP 26.077, CEP 05513-970, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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32
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Willets KA, Stranahan SM, Weber ML. Shedding Light on Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Hot Spots through Single-Molecule Super-Resolution Imaging. J Phys Chem Lett 2012; 3:1286-1294. [PMID: 26286772 DOI: 10.1021/jz300110x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Super-resolution imaging has recently been utilized to develop a better understanding of the properties of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) hot spots. SERS hot spots are much smaller than the diffraction limit of light, and therefore, obtaining a clear picture of the enhanced electromagnetic (EM) fields comprising these hot spots is a challenging task. In this Perspective, we discuss recent work applying super-resolution imaging to single-molecule SERS (SM-SERS) of rhodamine 6G (R6G) adsorbed to randomly assembled silver colloidal aggregates, allowing the shape, size, and local enhancement of the hot spots to be imaged with <5 nm resolution. The results are compared with studies applying super-resolution imaging to surface-enhanced fluorescence (SEF) of analytes diffusing into silver nanoparticle hot spots. Both studies show a strong correlation between emission intensity and position, allowing the EM field enhancements of SERS hot spots to be mapped with sub-5 nm resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Willets
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station A5300, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Sarah M Stranahan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station A5300, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Maggie L Weber
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station A5300, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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33
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Kämmer E, Dörfer T, Csáki A, Schumacher W, Da Costa Filho PA, Tarcea N, Fritzsche W, Rösch P, Schmitt M, Popp J. Evaluation of Colloids and Activation Agents for Determination of Melamine Using UV-SERS. THE JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY. C, NANOMATERIALS AND INTERFACES 2012; 116:6083-6091. [PMID: 22428076 PMCID: PMC3304507 DOI: 10.1021/jp211863y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2011] [Revised: 02/10/2012] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
UV-SERS measurements offer a great potential for environmental or food (detection of food contaminats) analytics. Here, the UV-SERS enhancement potential of various kinds of metal colloids, such as Pd, Pt, Au, Ag, Au-Ag core-shell, and Ag-Au core-shell with different shapes and sizes, were studied using melamine as a test molecule. The influence of different activation (KF, KCl, KBr, K(2)SO(4)) agents onto the SERS activity of the nanomaterials was investigated, showing that the combination of a particular nanoparticle with a special activation agent is extremely crucial for the observed SERS enhancement. In particular, the size dependence of spherical nanoparticles of one particular metal on the activator has been exploited. By doing so, it could be shown that the SERS enhancement increases or decreases for increasing or decreasing size of a nanoparticle, respectively. Overall, the presented results demonstrate the necessity to adjust the nanoparticle size and the activation agent for different experiments in order to achieve the best possible UV-SERS results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Kämmer
- Institute of Physical Chemistry
and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University, Helmholtzweg 4, D-07743 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Photonic
Technology, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 9, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Dörfer
- Institute of Physical Chemistry
and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University, Helmholtzweg 4, D-07743 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Photonic
Technology, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 9, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Andrea Csáki
- Institute of Photonic
Technology, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 9, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Wilm Schumacher
- Institute of Physical Chemistry
and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University, Helmholtzweg 4, D-07743 Jena, Germany
| | | | - Nicolae Tarcea
- Institute of Physical Chemistry
and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University, Helmholtzweg 4, D-07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Fritzsche
- Institute of Photonic
Technology, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 9, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Petra Rösch
- Institute of Physical Chemistry
and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University, Helmholtzweg 4, D-07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Michael Schmitt
- Institute of Physical Chemistry
and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University, Helmholtzweg 4, D-07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Jürgen Popp
- Institute of Physical Chemistry
and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University, Helmholtzweg 4, D-07743 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Photonic
Technology, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 9, 07745 Jena, Germany
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Meyer SA, Auguié B, Le Ru EC, Etchegoin PG. Combined SPR and SERS microscopy in the Kretschmann configuration. J Phys Chem A 2012; 116:1000-7. [PMID: 22175443 DOI: 10.1021/jp2107507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A novel hybrid spectroscopic technique is proposed, combining surface plasmon resonance (SPR) with surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) microscopy. A standard Raman microscope is modified to accommodate the excitation of surface plasmon-polaritons (SPPs) on flat metallic surfaces in the Kretschmann configuration, while retaining the capabilities of Raman microscopy. The excitation of SPPs is performed as in standard SPR-microscopy; namely, a beam with TM-polarization traverses off-axis a high numerical aperture oil immersion objective, illuminating at an angle the metallic film from the (glass) substrate side. The same objective is used to collect the full Kretschmann cone containing the SERS emission on the substrate side. The angular dispersion of the plasmon resonance is measured in reflectivity for different coupling conditions and, simultaneously, SERS spectra are recorded from Nile Blue (NB) molecules adsorbed onto the surface. A trade-off is identified between the conditions of optimum coupling to SPPs and the spot size (which is related to the spatial resolution). This technique opens new horizons for SERS microscopy with uniform enhancement on flat surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan A Meyer
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
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Abell JL, Lee J, Zhao Q, Szu H, Zhao Y. Differentiating intrinsic SERS spectra from a mixture by sampling induced composition gradient and independent component analysis. Analyst 2012; 137:73-6. [PMID: 22046582 DOI: 10.1039/c1an15623c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
By generating a composition gradient on a highly uniform SERS substrate and applying independent component analysis, we demonstrate that one can extract the intrinsic SERS spectrum of individual components from SERS spectra obtained from a two-component mixture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin L Abell
- Nanoscience and Engineering Center, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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Abstract
A general overview of the field of single-molecule (SM) surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as it stands today is provided. After years of debates on the basic aspects of SM-SERS, the technique is emerging as a well-established subfield of spectroscopy and SERS. SM-SERS is allowing the observation of subtle spectroscopic phenomena that were not hitherto accessible. Examples of the latter are natural isotopic substitutions in single molecules, observation of the true homogeneous broadening of Raman peaks, Raman excitation profiles of individual molecules, and SM electrochemistry. With background examples of the contributions produced by our group, properly interleaved with results by other practitioners in the field, we present some of the latest developments and promising new leads in this new field of spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric C Le Ru
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
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Artur CG, Miller R, Meyer M, Ru ECL, Etchegoin PG. Single-molecule SERS detection of C60. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2012; 14:3219-25. [DOI: 10.1039/c2cp23853e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Cialla D, März A, Böhme R, Theil F, Weber K, Schmitt M, Popp J. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS): progress and trends. Anal Bioanal Chem 2011; 403:27-54. [PMID: 22205182 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-011-5631-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 410] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2011] [Revised: 11/10/2011] [Accepted: 12/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) combines molecular fingerprint specificity with potential single-molecule sensitivity. Therefore, the SERS technique is an attractive tool for sensing molecules in trace amounts within the field of chemical and biochemical analytics. Since SERS is an ongoing topic, which can be illustrated by the increased annual number of publications within the last few years, this review reflects the progress and trends in SERS research in approximately the last three years. The main reason why the SERS technique has not been established as a routine analytic technique, despite its high specificity and sensitivity, is due to the low reproducibility of the SERS signal. Thus, this review is dominated by the discussion of the various concepts for generating powerful, reproducible, SERS-active surfaces. Furthermore, the limit of sensitivity in SERS is introduced in the context of single-molecule spectroscopy and the calculation of the 'real' enhancement factor. In order to shed more light onto the underlying molecular processes of SERS, the theoretical description of SERS spectra is also a growing research field and will be summarized here. In addition, the recording of SERS spectra is affected by a number of parameters, such as laser power, integration time, and analyte concentration. To benefit from synergies, SERS is combined with other methods, such as scanning probe microscopy and microfluidics, which illustrates the broad applications of this powerful technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Cialla
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
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Takase M, Sawai Y, Nabika H, Murakoshi K. Detection of adsorption sites at the gap of a hetero-metal nano-dimer at the single molecule level. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2011.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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40
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Larmour IA, Graham D. Surface enhanced optical spectroscopies for bioanalysis. Analyst 2011; 136:3831-53. [DOI: 10.1039/c1an15452d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Etchegoin PG, Le Ru EC, Fainstein A. Bi-analyte single molecule SERS technique with simultaneous spatial resolution. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2011; 13:4500-6. [DOI: 10.1039/c0cp02335c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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42
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David C, Guillot N, Shen H, Toury T, de la Chapelle ML. SERS detection of biomolecules using lithographed nanoparticles towards a reproducible SERS biosensor. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2010; 21:475501. [PMID: 21030778 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/21/47/475501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
In this paper we highlight the accurate spectral detection of bovine serum albumin and ribonuclease-A using a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate based on gold nanocylinders obtained by electron-beam lithography (EBL). The nanocylinders have diameters from 100 to 180 nm with a gap of 200 nm. We demonstrate that optimizing the size and the shape of the lithographed gold nanocylinders, we can obtain SERS spectra of proteins at low concentration. This SERS study enabled us to estimate high enhancement factors (10(5) for BSA and 10(7) for RNase-A) of important bands in the protein Raman spectrum measured for 1 mM concentration. We demonstrate that, to reach the highest enhancement, it is necessary to optimize the SERS signal and that the main parameter of optimization is the LSPR position. The LSPR have to be suitably located between the laser excitation wavelength, which is 632.8 nm, and the position of the considered Raman band. Our study underlines the efficiency of gold nanocylinder arrays in the spectral detection of proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalina David
- Laboratoire CSPBAT (FRE 3043), UFR SMBH, Université Paris XIII, Bobigny, France
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Lee SY, Hung L, Lang GS, Cornett JE, Mayergoyz ID, Rabin O. Dispersion in the SERS enhancement with silver nanocube dimers. ACS NANO 2010; 4:5763-72. [PMID: 20929243 DOI: 10.1021/nn101484a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Yong Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States, USA
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Etchegoin PG, Le Ru EC. Resolving single molecules in surface-enhanced Raman scattering within the inhomogeneous broadening of Raman peaks. Anal Chem 2010; 82:2888-92. [PMID: 20210327 DOI: 10.1021/ac9028888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate both the observation of either a single or a few molecules resolved within the inhomogeneous broadening of a peak in surface-enhanced raman scattering (SERS). Our results demonstrate a fundamental aspect of spectroscopy and also a possible technique to learn more about the varying interactions that single molecules can have with a given SERS substrate. Resolving more than one molecule within the inhomogeneous broadening is only possible thanks to the combination of (i) high-resolution measurements, and (ii) low temperatures (to narrow down the intrinsic homogeneous broadening as much as possible). Besides being a textbook-like example of laser spectroscopy, this result provides yet another confirmation of single molecule sensitivity in SERS. We show specific experimental examples for these effects in single molecule SERS spectra of the molecules nile blue (NB) and rhodamine 800 (RH800). The possible physical origins of the fluctuations in terms of (i) interactions with the substrate, (ii) isotopic effects, or (iii) instrumental contributions, are explained and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo G Etchegoin
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand.
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Meyer SA, Ru ECL, Etchegoin PG. Quantifying Resonant Raman Cross Sections with SERS. J Phys Chem A 2010; 114:5515-9. [DOI: 10.1021/jp100669q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan A. Meyer
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Eric C. Le Ru
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Pablo G. Etchegoin
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
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Gucciardi PG, de La Chapelle ML, Valmalette JC, Picardi G, Ossikovski R. Polarization-Sensitive Tip-Enhanced Raman Scattering. SCANNING PROBE MICROSCOPY IN NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-03535-7_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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47
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Blackie EJ, Le Ru EC, Etchegoin PG. Single-Molecule Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of Nonresonant Molecules. J Am Chem Soc 2009; 131:14466-72. [DOI: 10.1021/ja905319w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 350] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Evan J. Blackie
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Eric C. Le Ru
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Pablo G. Etchegoin
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
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48
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Qian X, Li J, Nie S. Stimuli-responsive SERS nanoparticles: conformational control of plasmonic coupling and surface Raman enhancement. J Am Chem Soc 2009; 131:7540-1. [PMID: 19453179 PMCID: PMC2703497 DOI: 10.1021/ja902226z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanoparticles have been developed by using colloidal gold nanocrystals and a class of thiolated block copolymers consisting of a pH-responsive polymer segment, an amphiphilic polyethylene glycol segment, and a lipoic acid anchoring group. The results demonstrate that SERS signals can be switched on and off by molecular conformations in response to pH. An important finding is that neutralized polymethacrylic acid (PMAA) molecules are able to interact with amphiphilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains, leading to highly compact and intermingled copolymer structures on the surface of nanoparticles. This type of molecular conformation change provides a new strategy for controlling plasmonic coupling and electromagnetic Raman enhancement and raises the possibility of using SERS nanoparticle tags for biomolecular binding and enzymatic cleavage studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximei Qian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, 101 Woodruff Circle Suite 2001, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
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49
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Etchegoin PG, Le Ru EC, Meyer M. Evidence of natural isotopic distribution from single-molecule SERS. J Am Chem Soc 2009; 131:2713-6. [PMID: 19166340 DOI: 10.1021/ja808934d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We report on the observation of the natural isotopic spread of carbon from single-molecule surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SM-SERS). By choosing a dye molecule with a very localized Raman-active vibration in a cyano bond (C[triple bond]N triple bond), we observe (in a SERS colloidal liquid) a small fraction of SM-SERS events where the frequency of the cyano mode is softened and in agreement with the effect of substituting (12)C by the next most abundant isotope, (13)C. This example adds another demonstration of single-molecule sensitivity in SERS through isotopic editing, which in this case is done not by artificial isotopic editing but rather by nature itself. It also highlights SERS as a unique spectroscopic tool that is capable of detecting an isotopic change in one atom of a single molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo G Etchegoin
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand.
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50
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Buchanan S, Le Ru EC, Etchegoin PG. Plasmon-dispersion corrections and constraints for surface selection rules of single molecule SERS spectra. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2009; 11:7406-11. [DOI: 10.1039/b905846j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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