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Seweryn S, Skirlińska-Nosek K, Sofińska K, Szajna K, Kobierski J, Awsiuk K, Szymoński M, Lipiec E. Optimization of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for probing the chemical structure of DNA. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2022; 281:121595. [PMID: 35843060 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2022.121595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Tip-enhanced Raman (TER) spectroscopy combines the nanometric spatial resolution of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the chemical sensitivity of Raman spectroscopy. Thus, it provides a unique possibility to obtain spectroscopic information on individual, nanometre-size molecules. The enhancement of Raman scattering cross-section requires modification of the AFM tip apex with a plasmonic nanostructure. Despite numerous advances of TERS research, attaining good reproducibility and stable enhancement is still challenging mainly due to the lack of optimized probes and sample preparation procedures. Moreover, current nanospectroscopic standard samples - carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have relatively simple chemical structure, and therefore, they are far from real-life analytes, especially biological samples. In this work we focus on the optimization of TERS technique for efficient DNA measurements, including: a preparation of atomically-flat gold substrates, fixative free deposition of DNA and optimization of TERS probe preparation. Here we demonstrate a comprehensive comparison of the efficacy of several types of TERS probes. Applying the systematic approach, we obtained reliable and reproducible TER spectra of DNA. Thus, we provide preparation procedures of a new standard TERS sample, TERS substrates and TERS probes. Our research provides a solid foundation for further research on DNA and its interaction with other biomolecules upon biologically significant processes such as DNA damage and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Seweryn
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Łojasiewicza 11, 30-348 Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Kamila Sofińska
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Łojasiewicza 11, 30-348 Kraków, Poland
| | - Konrad Szajna
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Łojasiewicza 11, 30-348 Kraków, Poland
| | - Jan Kobierski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biophysics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-007 Kraków, Poland
| | - Kamil Awsiuk
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Łojasiewicza 11, 30-348 Kraków, Poland
| | - Marek Szymoński
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Łojasiewicza 11, 30-348 Kraków, Poland
| | - Ewelina Lipiec
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Łojasiewicza 11, 30-348 Kraków, Poland.
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2
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Foti A, Venkatesan S, Lebental B, Zucchi G, Ossikovski R. Comparing Commercial Metal-Coated AFM Tips and Home-Made Bulk Gold Tips for Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of Polymer Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12030451. [PMID: 35159798 PMCID: PMC8840094 DOI: 10.3390/nano12030451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) combines the high specificity and sensitivity of plasmon-enhanced Raman spectroscopy with the high spatial resolution of scanning probe microscopy. TERS has gained a lot of attention from many nanoscience fields, since this technique can provide chemical and structural information of surfaces and interfaces with nanometric spatial resolution. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are very versatile nanostructures that can be dispersed in organic solvents or polymeric matrices, giving rise to new nanocomposite materials, showing improved mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. Moreover, MWCNTs can be easily functionalized with polymers in order to be employed as specific chemical sensors. In this context, TERS is strategic, since it can provide useful information on the cooperation of the two components at the nanoscale for the optimization of the macroscopic properties of the hybrid material. Nevertheless, efficient TERS characterization relies on the geometrical features and material composition of the plasmonic tip used. In this work, after comparing the TERS performance of commercial Ag coated nanotips and home-made bulk Au tips on bare MWCNTs, we show how TERS can be exploited for characterizing MWCNTs mixed with conjugated fluorene copolymers, thus contributing to the understanding of the polymer/CNT interaction process at the local scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Foti
- CNR—IPCF, Istituto per I Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 37, 98158 Messina, Italy
- LPICM, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Route de Saclay, 91128 Palaiseau, France; (S.V.); (B.L.); (G.Z.)
- Correspondence: (A.F.); (R.O.)
| | - Suriya Venkatesan
- LPICM, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Route de Saclay, 91128 Palaiseau, France; (S.V.); (B.L.); (G.Z.)
| | - Bérengère Lebental
- LPICM, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Route de Saclay, 91128 Palaiseau, France; (S.V.); (B.L.); (G.Z.)
- COSYS-LISIS, Université Gustave Eiffel, IFSTTAR, 77454 Marne-la-Vallée, France
| | - Gaël Zucchi
- LPICM, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Route de Saclay, 91128 Palaiseau, France; (S.V.); (B.L.); (G.Z.)
| | - Razvigor Ossikovski
- LPICM, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Route de Saclay, 91128 Palaiseau, France; (S.V.); (B.L.); (G.Z.)
- Correspondence: (A.F.); (R.O.)
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3
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He L, Rahaman M, Madeira TI, Zahn DR. Understanding the Role of Different Substrate Geometries for Achieving Optimum Tip-Enhanced Raman Scattering Sensitivity. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:376. [PMID: 33540743 PMCID: PMC7913005 DOI: 10.3390/nano11020376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) has experienced tremendous progress over the last two decades. Despite detecting single molecules and achieving sub-nanometer spatial resolution, attaining high TERS sensitivity is still a challenging task due to low reproducibility of tip fabrication, especially regarding very sharp tip apices. Here, we present an approach for achieving strong TERS sensitivity via a systematic study of the near-field enhancement properties in the so-called gap-mode TERS configurations using the combination of finite element method (FEM) simulations and TERS experiments. In the simulation study, a gold tip apex is fixed at 80 nm of diameter, and the substrate consists of 20 nm high gold nanodiscs with diameter varying from 5 nm to 120 nm placed on a flat extended gold substrate. The local electric field distributions are computed in the spectral range from 500 nm to 800 nm with the tip placed both at the center and the edge of the gold nanostructure. The model is then compared with the typical gap-mode TERS configuration, in which a tip of varying diameter from 2 nm to 160 nm is placed in the proximity of a gold thin film. Our simulations show that the tip-nanodisc combined system provides much improved TERS sensitivity compared to the conventional gap-mode TERS configuration. We find that for the same tip diameter, the spatial resolution achieved in the tip-nanodisc model is much better than that observed in the conventional gap-mode TERS, which requires a very sharp metal tip to achieve the same spatial resolution on an extended metal substrate. Finally, TERS experiments are conducted on gold nanodisc arrays using home-built gold tips to validate our simulation results. Our simulations provide a guide for designing and realization of both high-spatial resolution and strong TERS intensity in future TERS experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mahfujur Rahaman
- Semiconductor Physics, Chemnitz University of Technology, D-09107 Chemnitz, Germany; (L.H.); (T.I.M.); (D.R.T.Z.)
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4
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Milekhin IA, Rahaman M, Anikin KV, Rodyakina EE, Duda TA, Saidzhonov BM, Vasiliev RB, Dzhagan VM, Milekhin AG, Latyshev AV, Zahn DRT. Resonant tip-enhanced Raman scattering by CdSe nanocrystals on plasmonic substrates. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2020; 2:5441-5449. [PMID: 36132045 PMCID: PMC9417628 DOI: 10.1039/d0na00554a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) has recently emerged as a powerful technique for studying the local properties of low dimensional materials. Being a plasmon driven system, a dramatic enhancement of the TERS sensitivity can be achieved by an appropriate choice of the plasmonic substrate in the so-called gap-mode configuration. Here, we investigate the phonon properties of CdSe nanocrystals (NCs) utilizing gap-mode TERS. Using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique, we homogeneously deposited submonolayers of colloidal CdSe NCs on two different nanostructured plasmonic substrates. Amplified by resonant gap-mode TERS, the scattering by the optical phonon modes of CdSe NCs is markedly enhanced making it possible to observe up to the third overtone of the LO mode reliably. The home-made plasmonic substrates and TERS tips allow the analysis of the TERS images of CdSe phonon modes with nanometer spatial resolution. The CdSe phonon scattering intensity is strongly correlated with the local electromagnetic field distribution across the plasmonic substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- I A Milekhin
- Semiconductor Physics, Chemnitz University of Technology D-09107 Chemnitz Germany
| | - M Rahaman
- Semiconductor Physics, Chemnitz University of Technology D-09107 Chemnitz Germany
| | - K V Anikin
- A.V. Rzhanov Institute of Semiconductor Physics Novosibirsk Russia
| | - E E Rodyakina
- Novosibirsk State University Novosibirsk Russia
- A.V. Rzhanov Institute of Semiconductor Physics Novosibirsk Russia
| | - T A Duda
- A.V. Rzhanov Institute of Semiconductor Physics Novosibirsk Russia
| | - B M Saidzhonov
- Department of Chemistry, Moscow State University Moscow Russia
- Department of Material Science, Moscow State University Moscow Russia
| | - R B Vasiliev
- Department of Chemistry, Moscow State University Moscow Russia
- Department of Material Science, Moscow State University Moscow Russia
| | - V M Dzhagan
- V.E. Lashkaryov Institute of Semiconductor Physics UA-03028 Kiev Ukraine
| | - A G Milekhin
- Novosibirsk State University Novosibirsk Russia
- A.V. Rzhanov Institute of Semiconductor Physics Novosibirsk Russia
| | - A V Latyshev
- Novosibirsk State University Novosibirsk Russia
- A.V. Rzhanov Institute of Semiconductor Physics Novosibirsk Russia
| | - D R T Zahn
- Semiconductor Physics, Chemnitz University of Technology D-09107 Chemnitz Germany
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5
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Localized surface curvature artifacts in tip-enhanced nanospectroscopy imaging. Ultramicroscopy 2019; 206:112811. [PMID: 31310887 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2019.112811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) allows the chemical analysis with a spatial resolution at the nanoscale, well beyond what the diffraction limit of light makes possible. We can further boost the TERS sensitivity by using a metallic substrate in the so-called gap-mode TERS. In this context, the goal of this work is to provide a generalized view of imaging artifacts in TERS and near-field imaging that occur due to tip-sample coupling. Contrary to the case of gap-mode with a flat substrate where the size of the enhanced region is smaller than the tip size when visualizing 3D nanostructures the tip convolution effect may broaden the observed dimensions due to the local curvature of the sample. This effect is particularly critical considering that most works on gap-mode TERS consider a perfectly flat substrate which is rarely the case in actual experiments. We investigate a range of substrates to evidence these geometrical effects and to obtain an understanding of the nanoscale curvature role in TERS imaging. Our experimental results are complemented by numerical simulations and an analogy with atomic force microscopy artifacts is introduced. As a result, this work offers a useful analysis of gap-mode TERS imaging with tip- and substrate-related artifacts furthering our understanding and the reliability of near-field optical nanospectroscopy.
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6
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Foti A, Barreca F, Fazio E, D’Andrea C, Matteini P, Maragò OM, Gucciardi PG. Low cost tips for tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy fabricated by two-step electrochemical etching of 125 µm diameter gold wires. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2018; 9:2718-2729. [PMID: 30416923 PMCID: PMC6204785 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.9.254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) has become a well-applied technique for nanospectroscopy, allowing for single molecule sensitivity with sub-nanometer spatial resolution. The demand for efficient, reproducible and cost-effective probes for TERS is increasing. Here we report on a new electrochemical etching protocol to fabricate TERS tips starting from 125 µm diameter gold wires in a reproducible way. The process is reliable (50% of the tips have radius of curvature <35 nm, 66% <80 nm), fast (less than 2 min) and 2.5 times cheaper than the etching of standard 250 µm diameter wires. The TERS performance of the tips is tested on dyes, pigments and biomolecules and enhancement factors higher than 105 are observed. TERS mapping with a spatial resolution of 5 nm is demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Foti
- CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 37, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Barreca
- Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche e Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Enza Fazio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche e Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Cristiano D’Andrea
- IFAC-CNR, Institute of Applied Physics “Nello Carrara”, National Research Council, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Paolo Matteini
- IFAC-CNR, Institute of Applied Physics “Nello Carrara”, National Research Council, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Onofrio Maria Maragò
- CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 37, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Pietro Giuseppe Gucciardi
- CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 37, 98168 Messina, Italy
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7
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Gao L, Zhao H, Li T, Huo P, Chen D, Liu B. Atomic Force Microscopy Based Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy in Biology. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E1193. [PMID: 29652860 PMCID: PMC5979470 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Most biological phenomena occur at the nanometer scale, which is not accessible by the conventional optical techniques because of the optical diffraction limitation. Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), one of the burgeoning probing techniques, not only can provide the topography characterization with high resolution, but also can deliver the chemical or molecular information of a sample beyond the optical diffraction limitation. Therefore, it has been widely used in various structural analyses pertaining to materials science, tissue engineering, biological processes and so on. Based on the different feedback mechanisms, TERS can be classified into three types: atomic force microscopy based TERS system (AFM-TERS), scanning tunneling microscopy based TERS system (STM-TERS) and shear force microscopy based TERS system (SFM-TERS). Among them, AFM-TERS is the most widely adopted feedback system by live biosamples because it can work in liquid and this allows the investigation of biological molecules under native conditions. In this review, we mainly focus on the applications of AFM-TERS in three biological systems: nucleic acids, proteins and pathogens. From the TERS characterization to the data analysis, this review demonstrates that AFM-TERS has great potential applications to visually characterizing the biomolecular structure and crucially detecting more nano-chemical information of biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizhen Gao
- Institute of Photo-biophysics, School of Physics and Electronics, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Huiling Zhao
- Institute of Photo-biophysics, School of Physics and Electronics, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Tianfeng Li
- Institute of Photo-biophysics, School of Physics and Electronics, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Peipei Huo
- Laboratory of Functional Molecules and Materials, School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Xincun West Road 266, Zibo 255000, China.
| | - Dong Chen
- Institute of Photo-biophysics, School of Physics and Electronics, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Bo Liu
- Institute of Photo-biophysics, School of Physics and Electronics, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
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8
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Deckert-Gaudig T, Taguchi A, Kawata S, Deckert V. Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy - from early developments to recent advances. Chem Soc Rev 2018. [PMID: 28640306 DOI: 10.1039/c7cs00209b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
An analytical technique operating at the nanoscale must be flexible regarding variable experimental conditions while ideally also being highly specific, extremely sensitive, and spatially confined. In this respect, tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) has been demonstrated to be ideally suited to, e.g., elucidating chemical reaction mechanisms, determining the distribution of components and identifying and localizing specific molecular structures at the nanometre scale. TERS combines the specificity of Raman spectroscopy with the high spatial resolution of scanning probe microscopies by utilizing plasmonic nanostructures to confine the incident electromagnetic field and increase it by many orders of magnitude. Consequently, molecular structure information in the optical near field that is inaccessible to other optical microscopy methods can be obtained. In this general review, the development of this still-young technique, from early experiments to recent achievements concerning inorganic, organic, and biological materials, is addressed. Accordingly, the technical developments necessary for stable and reliable AFM- and STM-based TERS experiments, together with the specific properties of the instruments under different conditions, are reviewed. The review also highlights selected experiments illustrating the capabilities of this emerging technique, the number of users of which has steadily increased since its inception in 2000. Finally, an assessment of the frontiers and new concepts of TERS, which aim towards rendering it a general and widely applicable technique that combines the highest possible lateral resolution and extreme sensitivity, is provided.
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9
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Abstract
Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), a combination of Raman spectroscopy and apertureless near-field scanning optical microscopy using a metallic tip which resonates with the local mode of the surface plasmon, can provide a high-sensitive and high-spatial-resolution optical analytical approach. The basic principle of TERS, common experimental setups, various SPM technologies, and excitation/collection configurations are introduced as well as recent research progress with respect to TERS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenglong Zhang
- School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Science and Technology Beijing , Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China.,School of Physics and Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University , Xi'an, 710062, People's Republic of China.,Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology , Albert-Einstein-Strasse 9, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Shaoxiang Sheng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Beijing Key Laboratory for Nanomaterials and Nanodevices, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing, 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Rongming Wang
- School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Science and Technology Beijing , Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengtao Sun
- School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Science and Technology Beijing , Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China.,Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Beijing Key Laboratory for Nanomaterials and Nanodevices, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing, 100190, People's Republic of China
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10
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Kumar N, Spencer SJ, Imbraguglio D, Rossi AM, Wain AJ, Weckhuysen BM, Roy D. Extending the plasmonic lifetime of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy probes. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2016; 18:13710-6. [PMID: 27140329 DOI: 10.1039/c6cp01641c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) is an emerging technique for simultaneous mapping of chemical composition and topography of a surface at the nanoscale. However, rapid degradation of TERS probes, especially those coated with silver, is a major bottleneck to the widespread uptake of this technique and severely prohibits the success of many TERS experiments. In this work, we carry out a systematic time-series study of the plasmonic degradation of Ag-coated TERS probes under different environmental conditions and demonstrate that a low oxygen (<1 ppm) and a low moisture (<1 ppm) environment can significantly improve the plasmonic lifetime of TERS probes from a few hours to a few months. Furthermore, using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements on Ag nanoparticles we show that the rapid plasmonic degradation of Ag-coated TERS probes can be correlated to surface oxide formation. Finally, we present practical guidelines for the effective use and storage of TERS probes to improve their plasmonic lifetime based on the results of this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naresh Kumar
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 0LW, UK.
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11
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Meng L, Sun M, Chen J, Yang Z. A Nanoplasmonic Strategy for Precision in-situ Measurements of Tip-enhanced Raman and Fluorescence Spectroscopy. Sci Rep 2016; 6:19558. [PMID: 26780882 PMCID: PMC4726084 DOI: 10.1038/srep19558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We theoretically investigate an optimized tip-film system that supports in-situ measurement of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) and tip-enhanced fluorescence (TEF) of dye molecules. A scanning tunneling microscope (STM) is proposed to precisely control the tip-film distance, and thus in-situ measurement of TERS and TEF can be realized utilizing the specific surface plasmon resonance (SPR) properties of the tip-film system. Our calculations show that the optimized tip-film distance of 2 nm suggests a possibility of efficient acquisition of TERS and TEF in-situ. The calculated spatial resolution of TERS and spectral resolution of TEF can be down to 6.5 nm and 10 nm, respectively. Our theoretical results may find promising application in developing multiple functional nano-spectroscopy through which Raman and fluorescence can be measured in-situ at the nanoscale level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyan Meng
- Department of Physics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Mengtao Sun
- Department of Physics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Jianing Chen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Quantum Matter, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhilin Yang
- Department of Physics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
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12
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Rodriguez RD, Blaudeck T, Kalbacova J, Sheremet E, Schulze S, Adner D, Hermann S, Hietschold M, Lang H, Schulz SE, Zahn DRT. Metal nanoparticles reveal the organization of single-walled carbon nanotubes in bundles. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra28181d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were decorated with Ag and Au nanoparticles. The smaller SWCNTs in bundles are preferentially affected by the presence of metal nanoparticles. We postulate that smaller diameter SWCNTs surround larger ones.
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13
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Langelüddecke L, Singh P, Deckert V. Exploring the Nanoscale: Fifteen Years of Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy. APPLIED SPECTROSCOPY 2015; 69:1357-71. [PMID: 26554759 DOI: 10.1366/15-08014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Spectroscopic methods with high spatial resolution are essential to understand the physical and chemical properties of nanoscale materials including biological and chemical materials. Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) is a combination of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and scanning probe microscopy (SPM), which can provide high-resolution topographic and spectral information simultaneously below the diffraction limit of light. Even examples of sub-nanometer resolution have been demonstrated. This review intends to give an introduction to TERS, focusing on its basic principle and the experimental setup, the strengths followed by recent applications, developments, and perspectives in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Langelüddecke
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, University of Jena, Helmholtzweg 4, D-07743 Jena, Germany
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14
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Deckert V, Deckert-Gaudig T, Diegel M, Götz I, Langelüddecke L, Schneidewind H, Sharma G, Singh P, Singh P, Trautmann S, Zeisberger M, Zhang Z. Spatial resolution in Raman spectroscopy. Faraday Discuss 2015; 177:9-20. [PMID: 25826010 DOI: 10.1039/c5fd90014j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This article is intended to set the scope of the meeting, in particular, the high spatial resolution section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Deckert
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, 07745 Jena, Germany.
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15
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Sharma G, Deckert-Gaudig T, Deckert V. Tip-enhanced Raman scattering--Targeting structure-specific surface characterization for biomedical samples. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2015; 89:42-56. [PMID: 26130490 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2015.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Revised: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) has become a powerful tool for nanoscale structural analysis for several branches of organic, inorganic, and biological chemistry. This highly sensitive technique enables molecular characterization with a lateral resolution far beyond Abbe's diffraction limit and correlates structural and topographic information on a nanometer scale. In this review, the current experimental concepts with respect to their strengths and obstacles are introduced and discussed. A further focus was set to biochemistry comprising applications like nucleic acids, proteins, and microorganisms, thus demonstrating the potential use towards the pharmaceutically relevant challenges where nanometer resolution is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Sharma
- Institute for Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Helmholtzweg 4, Friedrich Schiller-University Jena, D-07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Tanja Deckert-Gaudig
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, D-07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Volker Deckert
- Institute for Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Helmholtzweg 4, Friedrich Schiller-University Jena, D-07743 Jena, Germany; Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, D-07745 Jena, Germany.
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16
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Rodriguez RD, Sheremet E, Deckert-Gaudig T, Chaneac C, Hietschold M, Deckert V, Zahn DRT. Surface- and tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy reveals spin-waves in iron oxide nanoparticles. NANOSCALE 2015; 7:9545-51. [PMID: 25948319 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr01277e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Nanomaterials have the remarkable characteristic of displaying physical properties different from their bulk counterparts. An additional degree of complexity and functionality arises when oxide nanoparticles interact with metallic nanostructures. In this context the Raman spectra due to plasmonic enhancement of iron oxide nanocrystals are here reported showing the activation of spin-waves. Iron oxide nanoparticles on gold and silver tips are found to display a band around 1584 cm(-1) attributed to a spin-wave magnon mode. This magnon mode is not observed for nanoparticles deposited on silicon (111) or on glass substrates. Metal-nanoparticle interaction and the strongly localized electromagnetic field contribute to the appearance of this mode. The localized excitation that generates this mode is confirmed by tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). The appearance of the spin-waves only when the TERS tip is in close proximity to a nanocrystal edge suggests that the coupling of a localized plasmon with spin-waves arises due to broken symmetry at the nanoparticle border and the additional electric field confinement. Beyond phonon confinement effects previously reported in similar systems, this work offers significant insights on the plasmon-assisted generation and detection of spin-waves optically induced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul D Rodriguez
- Institute of Physics, Technische Universität Chemnitz, D-09107 Chemnitz, Germany.
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17
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Abstract
AbstractSilver nanostructures are used in tip- and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy due to their high electric field enhancement over almost the entire visible spectral range. However, the low chemical stability of silver, compared to other noble metals, promotes silver sulfide and sulfate formation which decreases its plasmonic activity. This is why silver tips are usually prepared on the same day of the experiments or are disregarded in favour of gold that is chemically more stable. Since silver degradation cannot be avoided, we hypothesized that a protection layer may be able to minimize or control degradation. In this contribution, we report the successful preparation of 4-biphenylthiol and 4’-nitro-4-biphenylthiol self-assembled monolayers on silver tips in order to protect them against tarnishing and to investigate the effect on the life-time of the plasmonic activity. The electrochemically etched wire surface was probed via Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The best long term stability and resistance against corrosion was shown by a monolayer of 4-biphenylthiol formed from dimethylformamide which did not display any degradation of the metallic tip during the observed period. Here, we demonstrate an easy and straightforward approach towards increasing the chemical stability of silver TERS-active probes.
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18
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Sheremet E, Milekhin AG, Rodriguez RD, Weiss T, Nesterov M, Rodyakina EE, Gordan OD, Sveshnikova LL, Duda TA, Gridchin VA, Dzhagan VM, Hietschold M, Zahn DRT. Surface- and tip-enhanced resonant Raman scattering from CdSe nanocrystals. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2015; 17:21198-203. [PMID: 25566587 DOI: 10.1039/c4cp05087h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Surface- and tip-enhanced resonant Raman scattering (resonant SERS and TERS) by optical phonons in a monolayer of CdSe quantum dots (QDs) is demonstrated. The SERS enhancement was achieved by employing plasmonically active substrates consisting of gold arrays with varying nanocluster diameters prepared by electron-beam lithography. The magnitude of the SERS enhancement depends on the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) energy, which is determined by the structural parameters. The LSPR positions as a function of nanocluster diameter were experimentally determined from spectroscopic micro-ellipsometry, and compared to numerical simulations showing good qualitative agreement. The monolayer of CdSe QDs was deposited by the Langmuir-Blodgett-based technique on the SERS substrates. By tuning the excitation energy close to the band gap of the CdSe QDs and to the LSPR energy, resonant SERS by longitudinal optical (LO) phonons of CdSe QDs was realized. A SERS enhancement factor of 2 × 10(3) was achieved. This allowed the detection of higher order LO modes of CdSe QDs, evidencing the high crystalline quality of QDs. The dependence of LO phonon mode intensity on the size of Au nanoclusters reveals a resonant character, suggesting that the electromagnetic mechanism of the SERS enhancement is dominant. Finally, the resonant TERS spectrum from CdSe QDs was obtained using electrochemically etched gold tips providing an enhancement on the order of 10(4). This is an important step towards the detection of the phonon spectrum from a single QD.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Sheremet
- Semiconductor Physics, Technische Universität Chemnitz, D-09107 Chemnitz, Germany.
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19
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Deckert-Gaudig T, Richter M, Knebel D, Jähnke T, Jankowski T, Stock E, Deckert V. A modified transmission tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) setup provides access to opaque samples. APPLIED SPECTROSCOPY 2014; 68:916-919. [PMID: 25061793 DOI: 10.1366/13-07419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The combination of scanning probe microscopy and Raman spectroscopy enables chemical characterization of surfaces at highest spatial resolution. This so-called tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) can be employed for a variety of samples where a label-free characterization or identification of constituents on the nanometer scale is pursued. Present TERS setup geometries are always a compromise for specific dedicated applications and show different advantages and disadvantages: Transmission back-reflection setups, when using immersion objectives with a high numerical aperture, intrinsically provide the highest collection efficiency but cannot be applied for opaque samples. Those samples demand upright setups, at the cost of lower collection efficiency, even though very efficient systems using a parabolic mirror for illumination and collection have been demonstrated. In this contribution it is demonstrated that the incorporation of a dichroic mirror to a transmission TERS setup provides easy access to opaque samples without further modification of the setup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Deckert-Gaudig
- IPHT-Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, 07745 Jena, Germany
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20
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Naumenko D, Snitka V, Serviene E, Bruzaite I, Snopok B. In vivo characterization of protein uptake by yeast cell envelope: single cell AFM imaging and μ-tip-enhanced Raman scattering study. Analyst 2013; 138:5371-83. [DOI: 10.1039/c3an00362k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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