Long-Term Stable Silver Subsurface Ion-Exchanged Glasses for SERS Applications

• Published in: Chemphyschem Vol. 12; no. 9; pp. 1683 - 1688
• Main Authors: Simo, Anne, Joseph, Virginia, Fenger, Robert, Kneipp, Janina, Rademann, Klaus
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 20.06.2011; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley
• Subjects: AFM/TEM/SEM; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Glass - chemistry; glasses; Ion Exchange; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena; Reproducibility of Results; Silver - chemistry; Spectrum Analysis, Raman - methods; Surface Properties; surface-enhanced Raman scattering; Atomic force microscopy; Scanning electron microscopy; Methodology; Nanoparticle; Glass; Electron microscopy; surface-enhanced Raman scattering; Contamination; Surface enhanced scattering; Substrate; glasses; Silver; AFM/TEM/SEM; Transmission electron microscopy; nanoparticles; Surface Enhanced Raman Spectrometry; Silver ion; Raman spectrometry; Ion exchange; ion-exchange
• ISSN: 1439-4235; 1439-7641
• DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201100098

We report on the formation of silver subsurface ion‐exchanged metal oxide (silver SIMO) glasses and their surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity. The samples were prepared by a combined thermal and chemical three‐step methodology and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), environmental electron scanning microscopy (ESEM), and UV/Vis spectroscopy. This unique method provides SERS substrates with protection against contamination and strong, reliable and reproducible SERS enhancement. The Raman enhancement factors of the long‐term stable SIMO glasses were estimated to approximately 107. Undercover: Long‐term stable silver nanoparticles can be embedded into a glassy matrix (see picture). The particles can be easily uncovered before each Raman experiment. The solid substrates show constant enhancement by a factor of greater than 107.