Surface enhanced raman scattering (SERS) apparatus, methods and applications

摘要

Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates may be fabricated using a shadow mask assisted evaporation (SMAE) method to provide for enhanced detection sensitivity with respect to target molecules that are located upon, and sensitized by, the SERS enhanced substrates. Such SERS substrates provide a two dimensional array of repeating nanostructures that may include, but are not limited to nano-pillar, nano-nib, nano-elliptical cylinder and nano-triangular tip nanostructures, any of which may be augmented with gold nanospheres. The particular SERS enhanced substrates in accordance with the embodiments, in particular when augmented with gold nanospheres, provide desirably enhanced sensitivity.

主权项

1. A composite structure comprising a substrate; and an at least 3×3 array of nanostructures disposed on the substrate, wherein each nanostructure has an elongate shape and a distal end in the form of an open, pointed tip and a plurality of functionalized nanoparticles each one of which is attached to a surface of a respective nanostructure, wherein each nanoparticle comprises a material characterized by an atomic weight that is greater than an atomic weight of the nanostructure to which it is attached.