Fabrication of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrates on solid supports

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 476; pp. 1108 - 1117
• Main Authors: Mhlanga, Nikiwe, Domfe, Thulaganyo, Skepu, Amanda
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.05.2019
• Subjects: Au coated glass slide (AuGlass); Bare glass slide (glass); Enhancement factor (EF); SERS; Silicon wafer (wafer); Silicon wafer (wafer); Bare glass slide (glass); Au coated glass slide (AuGlass); SERS; Enhancement factor (EF)
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2019.01.163

In the present work, SERS substrates were successfully prepared on solid supports of silicon wafer, gold coated and bare-microscope glass slides. The multifaceted substrates consist of Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance metallic clusters immobilized on the supports. The two-step synthesis was achieved by self-assembly of metallic Ag or Au nanoparticles on the supports followed by in-situ growth of a bulk Au layer. Bimetallic substrates showed higher SERS activity compared to monometallic Au substrates. The gold coated and bare-microscope glass slides with bimetallic substrates had 2.5 × 107 and 2.0 × 107 enhancement factors, respectively. The prepared substrates showed good SERS capability. [Display omitted] •Bimetallic SERS substrates fabricated on solid supports showed enhanced 4-MBA signals and quantification capability.•SERS substrate performance dependent on the roughness, type and size of the LSPR metallic clusters