Monitoring molecule translocation through plasmonic nanopores based on surface enhanced Raman scattering

To study the translocation behavior of molecules through nanopores, the gold plasmonic nanopores (GPNs) structures with high Raman activity are fabricated. The process of molecule translocation (via potential, concentration and pH) is studied by Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS). The electrostatic effect is found critical for the translocation direction and speed of model molecule. What's more, the characteristic blinking signal of rhodamine 6G (R6G) molecules translocating through the nanopores is observed with millisecond temporal resolution.

Positive and Negative Photoconductivity in Ir Nanofilm-Coated MoO3 Bias-Switching Photodetector

In this study, we delved into the influence of Ir nanofilm coating thickness on the optical and optoelectronic behavior of ultrathin MoO3 wafer-scale devices. Notably, the 4 nm Ir coating showed a negative Hall voltage and high carrier concentration of 1.524 × 1019 cm-3 with 0.19 nm roughness. Using the Kubelka-Munk model, we found that the bandgap decreased with increasing Ir thickness, consistent with Urbach tail energy suggesting a lower level of disorder. Regarding transient photocurrent behavior, all samples exhibited high stability under both dark and UV conditions. We also observed a positive photoconductivity at bias voltages of >0.5 V, while at 0 V bias voltage, the samples displayed a negative photoconductivity behavior. This unique aspect allowed us to explore self-powered negative photodetectors, showcasing fast response and recovery times of 0.36/0.42 s at 0 V. The intriguing negative photoresponse that we observed is linked to hole self-trapping/charge exciton and Joule heating effects.

Finding a Sensitive Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopic Thermometer at the Nanoscale by Examining the Functional Groups

Temperature variation at the nanoscale is pivotal for the thermodynamics and kinetics of small entities. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a promising technique for monitoring temperature variations at the nanoscale. A key but ambiguous topic is methods to design a sensitive SERS thermometer. Here, we elucidate that the type of chemical bond of molecular probes and the surface chemical bonding effect are crucial for maximizing the sensitivity of the SERS thermometer, as illustrated by the variable-temperature SERS measurements and quantum chemistry calculations for the frequency-temperature functions of a series of molecules. The sensitivity of the frequency-temperature function follows the sequence of triple bond > double bond > single bond, which is available for both aliphatic and aromatic molecules. The surface chemical bonding effect between the SERS substrate and molecular probe substantially increases the sensitivity of the frequency-temperature function. These results provide universally available guidelines for the rational design of a sensitive SERS thermometer by examining the functional groups of molecular probes.

Ionic heat dissipation in solid-state pores

Energy dissipation in solid-state nanopores is an important issue for their use as a sensor for detecting and analyzing individual objects in electrolyte solution by ionic current measurements. Here, we report on evaluations of heating via diffusive ion transport in the nanoscale conduits using thermocouple-embedded SiN_x pores. We found a linear rise in the nanopore temperature with the input electrical power suggestive of steady-state ionic heat dissipation in the confined nanospace. Meanwhile, the heating efficiency was elucidated to become higher in a smaller pore due to a rapid decrease in the through-water thermal conduction for cooling the fluidic channel. The scaling law suggested nonnegligible influence of the heating to raise the temperature of single-nanometer two-dimensional nanopores by a few kelvins under the standard cross-membrane voltage and ionic strength conditions. The present findings may be useful in advancing our understanding of ion and mass transport phenomena in nanopores.

Molecular-Imprinting-Based Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Sensors

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) receive extensive interest, owing to their structure predictability, recognition specificity, and application universality as well as robustness, simplicity, and inexpensiveness. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is regarded as an ideal optical detection candidate for its unique features of fingerprint recognition, nondestructive property, high sensitivity, and rapidity. Accordingly, MIP based SERS (MIP-SERS) sensors have attracted significant research interest for versatile applications especially in the field of chemo- and bioanalysis, showing excellent identification and detection performances. Herein, we comprehensively review the recent advances in MIP-SERS sensors construction and applications, including sensing principles and signal enhancement mechanisms, focusing on novel construction strategies and representative applications. First, the basic structure of the MIP-SERS sensors is briefly outlined. Second, novel imprinting strategies are highlighted, mainly including multifunctional monomer imprinting, dummy template imprinting, living/controlled radical polymerization, and stimuli-responsive imprinting. Third, typical application of MIP-SERS sensors in chemo/bioanalysis is summarized from both small and macromolecular aspects. Lastly, the challenges and perspectives of the MIP-SERS sensors are proposed, orienting sensitivity improvement and application expanding.

SERS discrimination of single DNA bases in single oligonucleotides by electro-plasmonic trapping

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensing of DNA bases by plasmonic nanopores could pave a way to novel methods for DNA analyses and new generation single-molecule sequencing platforms. The SERS discrimination of single DNA bases depends critically on the time that a DNA strand resides within the plasmonic hot spot. In fact, DNA molecules flow through the nanopores so rapidly that the SERS signals collected are not sufficient for single-molecule analysis. Here, we report an approach to control the residence time of molecules in the hot spot by an electro-plasmonic trapping effect. By directly adsorbing molecules onto a gold nanoparticle and then trapping the single nanoparticle in a plasmonic nanohole up to several minutes, we demonstrate single-molecule SERS detection of all four DNA bases as well as discrimination of single nucleobases in a single oligonucleotide. Our method can be extended easily to label-free sensing of single-molecule amino acids and proteins.

Recognition of plastic nanoparticles using a single gold nanopore fabricated at the tip of a glass nanopipette

A single gold nanopore with high surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) activity is fabricated on the tip of a glass nanopipette.