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Bao YF, Zhu MY, Zhao XJ, Chen HX, Wang X, Ren B. Nanoscale chemical characterization of materials and interfaces by tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:10044-10079. [PMID: 39229965 DOI: 10.1039/d4cs00588k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Materials and their interfaces are the core for the development of a large variety of fields, including catalysis, energy storage and conversion. In this case, tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), which combines scanning probe microscopy with plasmon-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, is a powerful technique that can simultaneously obtain the morphological information and chemical fingerprint of target samples at nanometer spatial resolution. It is an ideal tool for the nanoscale chemical characterization of materials and interfaces, correlating their structures with chemical performances. In this review, we begin with a brief introduction to the nanoscale characterization of materials and interfaces, followed by a detailed discussion on the recent theoretical understanding and technical improvements of TERS, including the origin of enhancement, TERS instruments, TERS tips and the application of algorithms in TERS. Subsequently, we list the key experimental issues that need to be addressed to conduct successful TERS measurements. Next, we focus on the recent progress of TERS in the study of various materials, especially the novel low-dimensional materials, and the progresses of TERS in studying different interfaces, including both solid-gas and solid-liquid interfaces. Finally, we provide an outlook on the future developments of TERS in the study of materials and interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Fan Bao
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Meng-Yuan Zhu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Xiao-Jiao Zhao
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Hong-Xuan Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Xiang Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
- Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Bin Ren
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
- Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen 361005, China
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Mrđenović D, Tang ZX, Pandey Y, Su W, Zhang Y, Kumar N, Zenobi R. Regioselective Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of Lipid Membranes with Sub-Nanometer Axial Resolution. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:3939-3946. [PMID: 37096805 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c00689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Noninvasive and label-free analysis of cell membranes at the nanoscale is essential to comprehend vital cellular processes. However, conventional analytical tools generally fail to meet this challenge due to the lack of required sensitivity and/or spatial resolution. Herein, we demonstrate that tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) is a powerful nanoanalytical tool to analyze dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayers and human cell membranes with submolecular resolution in the vertical direction. Unlike the far-field Raman measurements, TERS spectra of the DPPC bilayers reproducibly exhibited a uniquely shaped C-H band. These unique spectral features were also reproducibly observed in the TERS spectrum of human pancreatic cancer cells. Spectral deconvolution and DFT simulations confirmed that the TERS signal primarily originated from vibrations of the CH3 groups in the choline headgroup of the lipids. The reproducible TERS results obtained in this study unequivocally demonstrate the ultrahigh sensitivity of TERS for nanoanalysis of lipid membranes under ambient conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dušan Mrđenović
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Zi-Xi Tang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and Synergetic Innovation Center of Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, 230026 Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Yashashwa Pandey
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Weitao Su
- School of Sciences, Hangzhou Dianzi University, 310018 Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and Synergetic Innovation Center of Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, 230026 Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Naresh Kumar
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Renato Zenobi
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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Mrđenović D, Cai ZF, Pandey Y, Bartolomeo GL, Zenobi R, Kumar N. Nanoscale chemical analysis of 2D molecular materials using tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:963-974. [PMID: 36541047 PMCID: PMC9851175 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr05127c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Two-dimensional (2D) molecular materials have attracted immense attention due to their unique properties, promising a wide range of exciting applications. To understand the structure-property relationship of these low-dimensional materials, sensitive analytical tools capable of providing structural and chemical characterisation at the nanoscale are required. However, most conventional analytical techniques fail to meet this challenge, especially in a label-free and non-destructive manner under ambient conditions. In the last two decades, tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) has emerged as a powerful analytical technique for nanoscale chemical characterisation by combining the high spatial resolution of scanning probe microscopy and the chemical sensitivity and specificity of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. In this review article, we provide an overview of the application of TERS for nanoscale chemical analysis of 2D molecular materials, including 2D polymers, biomimetic lipid membranes, biological cell membranes, and 2D reactive systems. The progress in the structural and chemical characterisation of these 2D materials is demonstrated with key examples from our as well as other laboratories. We highlight the unique information that TERS can provide as well as point out the common pitfalls in experimental work and data interpretation and the possible ways of averting them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dušan Mrđenović
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Zhen-Feng Cai
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Yashashwa Pandey
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | | | - Renato Zenobi
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Naresh Kumar
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Shao J, Su W. Tip-enhanced nanoscopy of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides: progress and perspectives. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:17119-17133. [PMID: 36394273 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr04864g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The optoelectronic properties of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) thin layers prepared by exfoliation or chemical vapour deposition are strongly modulated by defects at the nanoscale. The mediated electronic and optical properties are expected to be spatially localised in a nanoscale width neighbouring the defects. Characterising such localised properties requires an analytical tool with nanoscale spatial resolution and high optical sensitivity. In recent years, tip-enhanced nanoscopy, represented by tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) and tip-enhanced photoluminescence (TEPL), has emerged as a powerful tool to characterise the localised phonon and exciton behaviours of 2D TMDs and heterojunctions (HJs) at the nanoscale. Herein, we first summarise the recent progress of TERS and TEPL in the characterisation of several typical defects in TMDs, such as edges, wrinkles, grain boundaries and other defects generated in transfer and growth processes. Then the local strain and its dynamic control of phonon and exciton behaviours characterised by TERS and TEPL will be reviewed. The recent progress in characterising TMD HJs using TERS and TEPL will be subsequently summarised. Finally, the progress of TERS and TEPL combined with optoelectronic sensitive electronic scanning probe microscopy (SPM) in the applications of TMDs will be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Shao
- College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Weitao Su
- School of Sciences, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, China.
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Mrđenović D, Ge W, Kumar N, Zenobi R. Nanoscale Chemical Imaging of Human Cell Membranes Using Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202210288. [PMID: 36057139 PMCID: PMC9826433 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202210288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Lack of appropriate tools for visualizing cell membrane molecules at the nanoscale in a non-invasive and label-free fashion limits our understanding of many vital cellular processes. Here, we use tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) to visualize the molecular distribution in pancreatic cancer cell (BxPC-3) membranes in ambient conditions without labelling, with a spatial resolution down to ca. 2.5 nm. TERS imaging reveals segregation of phenylalanine-, histidine-, phosphatidylcholine-, protein-, and cholesterol-rich BxPC-3 cell membrane domains at the nm length-scale. TERS imaging also showed a cell membrane region where cholesterol is mixed with protein. Interestingly, the higher resolution TERS imaging revealed that the molecular domains observed on the BxPC-3 cell membrane are not chemically "pure" but also contain other biomolecules. These results demonstrate the potential of TERS for non-destructive and label-free imaging of cell membranes with nanoscale resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dušan Mrđenović
- Department of Chemistry and Applied BiosciencesETH ZürichVladimir-Prelog-Weg 1–5/108093ZürichSwitzerland
| | - Wenjie Ge
- Department of BiologyETH ZurichOtto-Stern-Weg 78093ZürichSwitzerland
| | - Naresh Kumar
- Department of Chemistry and Applied BiosciencesETH ZürichVladimir-Prelog-Weg 1–5/108093ZürichSwitzerland
| | - Renato Zenobi
- Department of Chemistry and Applied BiosciencesETH ZürichVladimir-Prelog-Weg 1–5/108093ZürichSwitzerland
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Nanoscale chemical imaging of human cell membrane using Tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202210288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Mrđenović D, Abbott D, Mougel V, Su W, Kumar N, Zenobi R. Visualizing Surface Phase Separation in PS-PMMA Polymer Blends at the Nanoscale. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:24938-24945. [PMID: 35590476 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c03857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Phase-separated polymer blend films are an important class of functional materials with numerous technological applications in solar cells, catalysis, and biotechnology. These technologies are underpinned by the precise control of phase separation at the nanometer length-scales, which is highly challenging to visualize using conventional analytical tools. Herein, we introduce tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), in combination with atomic force microscopy (AFM), confocal Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), as a sensitive nanoanalytical method to determine lateral and vertical phase-separation in polystyrene (PS)-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer blend films. Correlative topographical, molecular, and elemental information reveals a vertical phase separation of the polymers within the top ca. 20 nm of the blend surface in addition to the lateral phase separation in the bulk. Furthermore, complementary TERS and XPS measurements reveal the presence of PMMA within 9.2 nm of the surface and PS at the subsurface of the polymer blend. This fundamental work establishes TERS as a powerful analytical tool for surface characterization of this important class of polymers at nanometer length scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dušan Mrđenović
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Abbott
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Victor Mougel
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Weitao Su
- School of Sciences, Hangzhou Dianzi University, 310018 Hangzhou, China
| | - Naresh Kumar
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Renato Zenobi
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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Shao J, Chen F, Su W, Kumar N, Zeng Y, Wu L, Lu HW. Probing Nanoscale Exciton Funneling at Wrinkles of Twisted Bilayer MoS 2 Using Tip-Enhanced Photoluminescence Microscopy. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:3304-3309. [PMID: 35389654 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c00815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In twisted bilayer (t2L) two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides, local strain at wrinkles strongly modulates the local exciton density and PL energy resulting in an exciton funneling effect. Probing such exciton behaviors especially at nanometer length scales is beyond the limit of conventional analytical tools due to the limited spatial resolution and low sensitivity. To address this challenge, herein we applied high-resolution tip-enhanced photoluminescence (TEPL) microscopy to investigate exciton funneling at a wrinkle in a t2L MoS2 sample with a small twist angle of 0.5°. Owing to a spatial resolution of <10 nm, excitonic behavior at nanoscale sized wrinkles could be visualized using TEPL imaging. Detailed investigation of nanoscale exciton funneling at the wrinkles revealed a deformation potential of -54 meV/%. The obtained results provide novel insights into the inhomogeneities of excitonic behaviors at nanoscale and would be helpful in facilitating the rational design of 2D material-based twistronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Shao
- College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Fei Chen
- College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Weitao Su
- College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
- School of Sciences, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Naresh Kumar
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yijie Zeng
- School of Sciences, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Ling Wu
- School of Sciences, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Hong-Wei Lu
- School of Sciences, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
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Pienpinijtham P, Kitahama Y, Ozaki Y. Progress of tip-enhanced Raman scattering for the last two decades and its challenges in very recent years. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:5265-5288. [PMID: 35332899 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr00274d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) has recently attracted remarkable attention as a novel nano-spectroscopy technique. TERS, which provides site-specific information, can be performed on any material surface regardless of morphology. Moreover, it can be applied in various environments, such as ambient air, ultrahigh vacuum (UHV), solutions, and electrochemical environments. This review reports on one hand progress of TERS for the last two decades, and on the other hand, its challenges in very recent years. Part of the progress of TERS starts with the prehistory and history of TERS, and then, the characteristics and advantages of TERS are described. Significant emphasis is put on the development of TERS instrumentation and equipment such as ultrahigh vacuum TERS, liquid TERS, electrochemical-TERS, and tip-preparations. Applications of TERS, particularly those with nanocarbons, biological materials, and surface and interface analysis, are mentioned in some detail. In the part on challenges, we focus on the very recent advances in TERS; progress in spatial resolution to the angstrom scale is the hottest topic. Recent TERS studies performed under UHV, for example chemical imaging at the angstrom scale and Raman detection of bond breaking and making of a chemisorbed up-standing single molecules at single-bond level, are reviewed. Of course, there is no clear border between the two parts. In the last part the perspective of TERS is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prompong Pienpinijtham
- Sensor Research Unit (SRU), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
- National Nanotechnology Center of Advanced Structural and Functional Nanomaterials, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Bioactive Resources for Innovative Clinical Applications, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Yasutaka Kitahama
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan.
| | - Yukihiro Ozaki
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Kwansei Gakuin University, Sanda, Hyogo 669-1337, Japan.
- Toyota Physical and Chemical Research Institute, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1192, Japan
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