Ordered array of Ag semishells on different diameter monolayer polystyrene colloidal crystals: An ultrasensitive and reproducible SERS substrate

Zao Yi; Gao Niu; Jiangshan Luo; Xiaoli Kang; Weitang Yao; Weibin Zhang; Yougen Yi; Yong Yi; Xin Ye; Tao Duan; Yongjian Tang

doi:10.1038/srep32314

Ordered array of Ag semishells on different diameter monolayer polystyrene colloidal crystals: An ultrasensitive and reproducible SERS substrate

Sci Rep. 2016 Sep 2:6:32314. doi: 10.1038/srep32314.

Authors

Zao Yi^{1

2}, Gao Niu³, Jiangshan Luo³, Xiaoli Kang³, Weitang Yao^{1

2}, Weibin Zhang⁴, Yougen Yi⁵, Yong Yi^{1

2}, Xin Ye³, Tao Duan^{1

2}, Yongjian Tang^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Joint Laboratory for Extreme Conditions Matter Properties, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621900, China.
² Co-Innovation Center for Energetic Materials, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621900, China.
³ Research Center of Laser Fusion, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China.
⁴ Department of Physics, Dongguk University, Seoul, 100715, Korea.
⁵ College of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.

Abstract

Ag semishells (AgSS) ordered arrays for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy have been prepared by depositing Ag film onto polystyrene colloidal particle (PSCP) monolayer templates array. The diversified activity for SERS activity with the ordered AgSS arrays mainly depends on the PSCP diameter and Ag film thickness. The high SERS sensitivity and reproducibility are proved by the detection of rhodamine 6G (R6G) and 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) molecules. The prominent enhancements of SERS are mainly from the "V"-shaped or "U"-shaped nanogaps on AgSS, which are experimentally and theoretically investigated. The higher SERS activity, stability and reproducibility make the ordered AgSS a promising choice for practical SERS low concentration detection applications.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't