Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Imaging of a Single Molecule on Urchin-like Silver Nanowires

Abstract

Urchin-like silver nanowires are prepared by reacting AgNO(3)(aq) with copper metal in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium chloride and HNO(3)(aq) on a screen-printed carbon electrode at room temperature. The diameters of the nanowires are about 100 nm, and their lengths are up to 10 μm. Using Raman spectroscopy, the detection limit of Rhodamine 6G (R6G) on the urchin-like silver nanowire substrate can be as low as 10(-16) M, while the analytical enhancement factor is about 10(13). Raman mapping images confirm that a single R6G molecule on the substrate can be detected.

Noble metal-comparable SERS enhancement from semiconducting metal oxides by making oxygen vacancies

“…Two signature bands, P1 and P3, were selected for calculating EFs based on the magnification of Raman intensity compared with that on bare substrate (details in Supplementary Methods ) 21 22 23 , the variation of which was depicted in Fig. 3c as a function of R6G analyte concentrations ( C R6G ).…”

Ordering Ag nanowire arrays by a glass capillary: A portable, reusable and durable SERS substrate

“…The enhanced electric field around the noble metal nanostructures is considered to be the dominant factor for the corresponding SERS enhancement. Various Ag nanostructures have been investigated as highly sensitive substrates, such as, nanoparticles (NPs)45, nanowires (NWs)464748, vertically-aligned nanorods (NRs)4950, nanoplates51, and so on52. Fig.…”

Probing single molecules and molecular aggregates: Raman spectroscopic advances

“…Extensive SMR studies (primarily named as single‐molecule SERS, i.e. SMSERS) have been reported, as partly summarized in a few previously published review papers, such as an emphasis by Kneipp et al . upon ultrasensitive analysis of chemicals and live cells, also biomedical applications and mechanisms related to the surrounding environment by Qian and Nie, comprehensive discussion regarding the origin of SERS enhancement by Moskovits, as well as bi‐analyte (BiA) approaches proposed by Etchegoin, TERS reviews by Zenobi and Van Duyne et al .…”