Nanostructured materials for applications in surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Abstract

This highlight summarizes current advances in the design and the employment of nanostructured materials in SERS substrates especially from the dimensional point of view. We then talk about synthesis methods and the novel properties of these nanostructured materials with their potential applications in SERS.

Facile interfacial synthesis of large sized 3D gold spherical architectures with strong individual particle SERS response and high reproducibility

“…7 shows the UV-vis absorption spectra of the aqueous solution of AuSAs, which exhibits a gradual increase in absorption from at around 500 nm to the near-IR region. 6 In general, hierarchical Au architectures have lots of sharp tips, edges, gaps, and junctions on their surfaces, in these positions, plenty of ''hot spots'' can be created, leading to the dramatic SERS enhancement. 2,[56][57][58][59] Since the position and intensity of SPR absorption depend largely on the size, shape, aspect ratio, and mutual coupling of Au nanoparticles, the observed overlapping between the transverse band and the longitudinal band could be attributed to the variety of sizes, aspect ratios and coupling between the nanoflakes of AuSAs.…”

“…This result implies a remarkable overlapping between the transverse band and the longitudinal band. 6 With these traits, the as-prepared AuSAs are also expected to exhibit intense SERS enhancement and serve as a SERS-active substrate for molecular sensing. 2,[56][57][58][59] Au nanostructures have been widely studied as SERS substrates and have promising potential in SERS-based trace detection.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Among others, hierarchical Au architectures, with nanoscale particles as building blocks, are particularly interesting owing to their dramatically promoted performances in various fields, such as catalysis, 8,9 surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), 8,10 photothermal therapy 2 and biosensors. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Among others, hierarchical Au architectures, with nanoscale particles as building blocks, are particularly interesting owing to their dramatically promoted performances in various fields, such as catalysis, 8,9 surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), 8,10 photothermal therapy 2 and biosensors.…”

“…15,16 Thus, constructing hierarchical architectures is particularly important for Au in order to improve its stability and maintain its activity. 6,22,23 Particularly, owing to the strong Raman signal enhancement and good biocompatibility, Au nanoparticles have been widely used as SERS activity substrates to detect trace matters. Up to now, several strategies, including the two-step seeded growth approach, 17,18 galvanic replacement reaction, 9 surfactant-assisted growth, 8 ionic liquid-assisted synthesis, 19 laser ablation, 20 and ion-assisted aerosol lithography, 21 have been successfully developed to fabricate complex hierarchical Au architectures with various morphologies and structures.…”

Reusable SERS active substrates for ultrasensitive molecular detection

“…[4][5] Among all the SERS active substrates, gold and silver based nanostructures with sharp edges ("hot spots") are commonly utilized due to their high sensitivity and good biocompatibility. 6,7 Single molecule detection with the SERS substrates has been demonstrated. 8 However, most of the approaches used so far are characterized by major challenges in stability and reproducibility of the Raman signal.…”