Investigation of the photodecomposition process of thin layers of arachidic acid on titanium dioxide coatings modified by silver nanoparticles observed in situ by atomic force microscopy

Photocatalytical decoration of thin titania coatings with silver nanostructures provides a robust and reproducible SERS signal

“…Moreover, parameters such as the intensity of applied light source and the amount of hole scavengers were also examined. Similar experiments aimed at the determination of the effect of the type of light source, the kind of TiO 2 coating (magnetron or solgel) on the size, and the quantity of resulting AgNSs were performed earlier and described in our previous works . To our knowledge, these factors, crucial for the generation of electrons and formation of metal nanostructures, have not been systematically examined so far in terms of SERS investigations.…”

“…The Ag‐modified TiO 2 coatings (SERS platforms) were prepared following the two‐step procedure. First, TiO 2 thin coatings were obtained on silicon wafers with the use of the solgel method described previously in Piwoński et al The average thickness of TiO 2 deposited on the Si wafer in this method was 19 nm . In short, titanium tetraisopropoxide (1.25 ml) was added to i ‐C 3 H 8 O (16.6 ml) under vigorous magnetic stirring for 5 min.…”