Single-molecule surface- and tip-enhanced raman spectroscopy

A review is given on single-molecule surface- and tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS and TERS). It sketches the historical development along different routes toward huge near-field enhancements, the basis of single-molecule enhanced Raman spectroscopy; from SNOM to apertureless SNOM to tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) and microscopy; from SERS to single-molecule SERS to single-molecule TERS. The claim of extremely high enhancement factors of 10¹⁴ in single-molecule SERS is critically discussed, in particular in the view of recent experimental and theoretical results that limits the electromagnetic enhancement to ? 10¹¹. In the field of TERS only very few reports on single-molecule TERS exist: single-molecule TERS on dyes and on a protein (cytochrome c). In the latter case, TERS ‘sees’ even subunits of this protein, either amino-acids or the heme, depending on the orientation of the protein relative to the tip. The former case concerns the dye brilliant cresyl blue adsorbed either on a Au surface under ambient conditions or on a Au(111) surface in ultra high vacuum. These results indicate that significant progress is to be expected for TERS in general and for single-molecule TERS in particular.     

Tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy using single‐crystalline Ag nanowire as tip

We report the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect from the apex of single‐crystalline Ag nanowires (NWs). We also fabricated tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) tips by attaching individual Ag NWs to W wires by using the alternating current dielectrophoresis (AC‐DEP) method. The single‐crystalline Ag NW tips could overcome many of the shortcomings of conventional TERS tips. Most importantly, the results obtained from TERS using single‐crystalline metal NWs are very reproducible, and the tips are also reusable. This development represents a significant progress in making TERS a reliable optical characterization technique with nanometer spatial resolution. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy – an interlaboratory reproducibility and comparison study

Since its first experimental realization, tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) has emerged as a potentially powerful nanochemical analysis tool. However, questions about the comparability and reproducibility of TERS data have emerged. This interlaboratory comparison study addresses these issues by bringing together different TERS groups to perform TERS measurements on nominally identical samples. Based on the spectra obtained, the absolute and relative peak positions, number of bands, peak intensity ratios, and comparability to reference Raman and surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) data are discussed. Our general findings are that all research groups obtained similar spectral patterns, irrespective of the setup or tip that was used. The TERS (and SERS) spectra consistently showed fewer bands than the conventional Raman spectrum. When comparing these three methods, the spectral pattern match and substance identification is readily possible. Absolute and relative peak positions of the three major signals of thiophenol scattered by 19 and 9 cm⁻¹, respectively, which can probably be attributed to different spectrometer calibrations. However, within the same group (but between different tips), the signals only scattered by 3 cm⁻¹ on average. This study demonstrated the suitability of TERS as an analytical tool and brings TERS a big step forward to becoming a routine technique. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

维生素K3的表面增强拉曼光谱研究

首次报道了维生素K3 (VK3 )分子的常规拉曼光谱 (NRS)及该分子在活性衬底银镜上的表面增强拉曼散射 (SERS) ,并对它的拉曼特征谱带进行了初步的指认和归属。通过对比VK3 的常规拉曼光谱和SERS谱 ,发现VK3 分子吸附在银表面后拉曼散射强度被大大增强了。另外 ,VK3 的羰基与银粒子发生电荷转移后形成负离子自由基 ,碳氧双键打开。受VK3 分子吸附在银镜表面的影响 ,萘环结构发生了很大的扰动 ,导致一些拉曼特征峰产生位移 ,环变形振动对应的拉曼散射强度得到了增强。这些研究结果为SERS技术今后对VK3进行药物检测以及痕量分析方面的应用提供了依据。     

Nanoscale probing of adsorbed species by tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) is based on the optical excitation of localized surface plasmons in the tip-substrate cavity, which provides a large but local field enhancement near the tip apex. We report on TERS with smooth single crystalline surfaces as substrates. The adsorbates were CN- ions at Au(111) and malachite green isothiocyanate (MGITC) molecules at Au(111) and Pt(110) using either Au or Ir tips. The data analysis yields Raman enhancements of about 4 x 10(5) for CN- and up to 10(6) for MGITC at Au(111) with a Au tip, probing an area of less than 100 nm radius.     

Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy for trace‐level detection of explosives

The detection of explosives and their associated compounds for security screening is an active area of research and a wide variety of detection methods are involved in this very challenging area. Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy is one of the most sensitive tools for the detection of molecules adsorbed on nano‐scale roughened metal surface. Moreover, SERS combines high sensitivity with the observation of vibrational spectra of species, giving complete information on the molecular structure of material under study. In this paper, SERS was applied to the detection of very small quantities of explosives adsorbed on industrially made substrates. The spectra were acquired with a compact Raman spectrometer. Usually, a high signal‐to‐noise (S/N) spectrum, suitable for identification of explosive molecules down to few hundreds of picograms, was achieved within 30 s. Our measurements suggest that it is possible to exploit SERS using a practical detection instrument for routine analysis. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exploring the origin of tip‐enhanced Raman scattering; preparation of efficient TERS probes with high yield

Tip‐enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) spectroscopy is a promising technique for nanoscale chemical analysis. However, there are several challenges preventing widespread application of this technology, including reproducible fabrication of efficient TERS probes. These problems reflect a lack of clear understanding of the origins of, and the parameters influencing TERS. It is believed that the coating characteristics at the apex of the tip have a major effect on the near‐field optical enhancement and thus the TERS activity of a metalized probe. Here we show that the aspect ratio of the tip can play a significant role in the efficiency of TERS probes. We argue that the electrostatic field arising from the lightning‐rod effect has a substantial role in the observed TERS effect. This argument is supported by ‘edge‐enhanced Raman scattering’ which is shown for a noble metal film. Furthermore, it is reported that an associated tip‐surface‐enhanced Raman scattering effect can be achieved by using a TERS‐inactive metalized probe on a surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy‐inactive roughened surface. This observation can be explained by an interparticle enhancement of the electromagnetic field. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering and DFT theoretical studies on the adsorption behavior of plumbagin on silver nanoparticles

The comparative study of normal Raman spectrum with the SERS along with the DFT calculations predicts the adsorption geometry of plumbagin on silver surface. The surface geometry of plumbagin molecule was studied by analysis of the SERS spectra adsorbed on silver colloid surfaces. The large enhancement of inplane ring stretching and C-H in-plane bending modes in the surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectrum indicates that the molecule is adsorbed on the silver surface in a stand-on orientation of PLBN on a silver surface.     

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering of methyl <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-hydroxy benzoate: A molecular orientational study

The surface geometry of a methyl p-hydroxy benzoate (MPHB) molecule was studied by analysis of the SERS spectra adsorbed on silver colloid surfaces. For a reliable analysis of the SERS spectrum, we also performed density functional theoretical calculations. The large enhancement of the in-plane ring-stretching and ring-stretching modes in the surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectrum indicates that the molecule is adsorbed on the silver surface in a stand on orientation of MPHB on a silver surface.     

Raman and SERS study of metoclopramide at different pH values

Conjugate acid–base forms of the drug metoclopramide were investigated by Raman spectroscopy in aqueous solutions and by surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), when the molecules were adsorbed on colloidal silver surfaces. Raman spectra were recorded at pH values below 8, metoclopramide being poorly water soluble at higher pH values. The SERS spectra of metoclopramide were recorded in the 3–11 pH range, even in spite of its low solubility at basic pH values. The Raman and SERS spectra were assigned by means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. By monitoring several SERS marker bands, the protonated, neutral or the coexistence of both molecular species adsorbed on the colloidal silver particles could be evidenced. The adsorbate orientation was deduced to be perpendicular to the metal surface for the protonated molecular species and tilted for the neutral metoclopramide molecular species. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

SERS as a probe for adsorbate orientation on silver nanoclusters

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy has been used to characterize multilayers of three isomeric aromatic compounds adsorbed on silver nanoclusters. The three structural isomers, all of which adsorb in the carboxylate form onto the silver nanoclusters, bind in two different geometries to the silver surface. Different molecular configurations correlate to differences in bonding strength of these molecules to the silver surface, which can be probed by SERS. For ortho‐hydroxybenzoic acid (salicylic acid), we observed red shifts of major SERS peaks in comparison to the normal Raman vibrations of nonadsorbed crystalline material. For this molecule the steric hindrance between the adjacent carboxylate and hydroxyl groups causes the carboxylate group to rotate from the common flat geometry of benzene substituents on surfaces and bond directly through one of the oxygen atoms to the surface. In this case, strong coordinative bonding between the carboxylate group and the metal surface causes the red shifts in the SERS peaks. For para‐, and meta‐hydroxybenzoic acid, the steric hindrance is less likely since the two functional groups are not at adjacent positions, and therefore these molecules adsorb on the silver surface in a totally flat geometry. For these molecules, in contrast to the ortho isomer, the CO₂ interacts with the surface through an extended π bond, and these molecules are physically adsorbed in the common flat position. Therefore, for the meta and para substituents, we do not observe significant red shifts in the SERS spectrum. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of rGO–Ag nanoparticles for high-performance SERS and the adsorption geometry of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole on Ag surface

The sliver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with diameters of 30～50 nm were self-assembled onto the surfaces of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets simply by mixing AgNO₃ aqueous solution and GO dispersion via a synchronous reduction process. Structure and morphology of the rGO–AgNPs hybrids were well characterized. More significantly, the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectrum of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (MBI) adsorbed on the solid rGO–AgNPs surface shown that the rGO–AgNPs system gives a very strong SERS intensity at in-plane vibrational modes in comparison to the out-of-plane vibrational modes. This large enhancement effect is most likely a result of charge-transfer (CT) mechanism. Based on the surface selection rules and the information provided by the highly enhanced in-plane vibrational modes, it can be found that MBI molecule was adsorbed on AgNPs surface as a thiol form via the sulphur and nitrogen atoms with a slightly tilted geometric conformation.     

在银、金和铂基底上银纳米粒子诱导的单层有机分子的表面增强拉曼散射(英文)

Noble metallic nanostructures exhibit a phenomenon known as surface-enhanced Raman scattering （SERS） in which the scattering cross sections are dramatically enhanced for molecules adsorbed thereon. Thanks to the enormously large enhancement factor on the order of 106～1015, one can readily acquire thevibrational spectra from adsorbates on roughened surfaces of Ag, Au, and Cu. However, SERS has not developed to be as powerful a surface technique as many people had hoped initially because of two specific obstacles.     

Surface-enhanced raman scattering and nonlinear optics applied to electrochemistry

The most recently developed diagnostic technique in metal-electrolyte and metal-gas interfaces adapts spontaneous Raman scattering and nonlinear optical generation, techniques normally applied to bulk media, to surface science investigation. For certain metallic surfaces, an enormous increase exists in the Raman (as much as 10⁶ to 10⁸ times) and nonlinear optical signals resulting from submonolayer coverage of molecular adsorbates at the interface. Spontaneous Raman scattering and nonlinear optical scattering are well developed in both theory and practice for the analysis of molecular structure and concentration in bulk media. Instrumentation to generate and detect these inelastically scattered signals is readily available and is adequate for adaption to surface science. However, the mechanism (or mechanisms) giving rise to such a large enhancement at the interfaces is still being actively researched and remains controversial. Theoretical and experimental investigations related to the underlying physics of this enhancement and the application of such surface enhancement as a vibrational probe for adsorbates on the metal surface have been labeled “surface-enhanced Raman scattering” (SERS) and “surface-enhanced nonlinear optics”. Soon after the recognition that molecules adsorbed onto metal electrodes under certain conditions exhibit an anomalously large Raman scattering efficiency,^1–3 it became evident that such a phenomenon makes possible an in situ diagnostic probe for detailed and unique vibrational signatures of adsorbates in the ambient phase (electrolyte and atmospheric gas surroundings). Optical spectroscopy in the visible range has a much higher energy resolution (e.g., 0. I cm-I) than is presently available in electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), as well as the capability to measure much lower frequency modes (e.g., as low as 5 cm^?1) than is possible in infrared spectroscopy. Perhaps the most significant attribute of SERS and surface-enhanced nonlinear optical scattering is that the surrounding media in front of the interface (e.g., several meters of gas and several centimeters of liquid) do not introduce optical loss or overwhelmingly large signals. The recognition that SERS is capable of performing vibrational spectroscopy with this resolution, frequency range, and in such dense surroundings has therefore brought an explosion of activity to the field since 1977.     

表面增强拉曼光谱(SERS)技术对非标记蛋白质的研究进展

基于表面增强拉曼光谱(SERS)技术在非标记蛋白质研究方面的最新进展。SERS是一个特殊的拉曼光谱现象,对于众多被吸附到粗糙金属表面上的拉曼活性分析物,可以提供增强拉曼信号(通常可以增强几个数量级)。SERS是一个灵敏的,选择性的,和通用的技术,并且可以实时、快速的对数据进行采集。因此,在基于仪器仪表技术和数据分析方法以及SERS在生物体系中的诸多优势,SERS经历了快速的发展阶段。重点介绍几个采用SERS技术对生物体系的代表性研究。某些SERS的生物应用发展比较成熟,并已经可以小范围临床应用,而有些还停留在发展的初始阶段(实验室研究阶段)。讨论了最近发展起来的几种基于SERS技术定量分析的方法, 选择不同SERS活性基底和技术(如生物分子在电极上,胶体纳米粒子,周期性图案结构和基于针尖拉曼技术)对蛋白质进行直接研究。此外,根据SERS指纹信息的变化可以用来研究蛋白质-蛋白质,蛋白质-配体间的相互作用。基于SERS技术对生物分子进行定性和/或定量分析方面显示出了相当大的优势。     

Influence of tip geometry on the spatial resolution of tip enhanced Raman mapping

In 2013,a breakthrough experiment pushed the Raman mapping of molecules via the tip-enhanced Raman scattering(TERS) technique to a sub-nanometer spatial resolution,going into the single-molecule level.This surprising result was well explained by accounting for the critical role of elastic molecule Rayleigh scattering within a plasmonic nanogap in enhancing both the localization and the intensity level of the Raman scattering signal.In this paper,we theoretically explore the influence of various geometric factors of the TERS system on the spatial resolution of Raman mapping,such as the tip curvature radius,tip conical angle,tip–substrate distance,and tip–molecule vertical distance.This investigation can help to find out the most critical geometric factor influencing the spatial resolution of TERS and march along in the right direction for further improving the performance of the TERS system.     

Detection of explosive vapour using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

A commercially available nano-structured gold substrate was used for activating surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Raman spectra of the vapour of explosive material, triacetonetriperoxide (TATP), at trace concentrations produced from adsorbed molecules on such surfaces have been studied. Prominent Raman lines of the explosive molecular species were recorded at a sample temperature of ∼35°C, which is near to human body temperature. For this study, the concentration of the adsorbed TATP molecules on the nano-structured surface was varied by heating the sample to different temperatures and exposing the substrate to the sample vapour for different lengths of time. The intensities of the Raman lines have been found to increase with the increase in temperature and also with the increase in the duration of exposure for a fixed temperature. However, as expected, the Raman intensities have been found to saturate at higher temperatures and longer exposures. These saturation effects of the strengths of the Raman lines in the SERS of TATP vapour have been investigated in this paper. The results indicate that the optimisation for vapour deposition on the surface could be a crucial factor for any quantitative estimate of the concentration of the molecular species adsorbed on the nano-structured substrates.     

Understanding tip‐enhanced Raman spectra of biological molecules: a combined Raman,SERS and TERS study

Although conventional Raman, surface‐enhanced Raman (SERS) and tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) have been known for a long time, a direct, thorough comparison of these three methods has never been carried out. In this paper, spectra that were obtained by conventional Raman, SERS (on gold and silver substrates) and TERS (in ‘gap mode’ with silver tips and gold substrates) are compared to learn from their differences and similarities. Because the investigation of biological samples by TERS has recently become a hot topic, this work focuses on biologically relevant substances. Starting from the TER spectra of bovine serum albumin as an example for a protein, the dipeptides Phe–Phe and Tyr–Tyr and the tripeptide Tyr–Tyr–Tyr were investigated. The major findings were as follows. (1) We show that the widely used assumption that spectral bands do not shift when comparing SER, TER and conventional Raman spectra (except due to binding to the metal surface in SERS or TERS) is valid. However, band intensity ratios can differ significantly between these three methods. (2) Marker bands can be assigned, which should allow one to identify and localize proteins in complex biological environments in future investigations. From our results, general guidelines for the interpretation of TER spectra are proposed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nanostructured gold surfaces as reproducible substrates for surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy is a common tool for the qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis of molecules. Although the unique identification of molecules is possible via their vibrational lines, high concentrations (mmol/l) are needed for their nonresonant excitation owing to their low scattering cross section. The intensity of the Raman spectra is amplified by the use of the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique. While the use of silver sols results only in a limited reproducibility of the Raman line intensities, lithographically designed, nanostructured gold surfaces used as SERS‐active substrates should, in principle, combine the high sensitivity with better reproducibility. For this purpose, we have produced gratings of gold dots on Si(001) surfaces by means of electron beam lithography. Qualitative and quantitative investigations of crystal violet (CV) performed using nanostructured surfaces give high reproducibility and enhancement of the Raman lines. The substrates are reusable after cleaning; all results presented could be obtained from a single SERS substrate. For the experiments very low laser powers were used. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

巯基苯甲酸在电化学沉积的金/银薄膜表面的吸附行为

通过表面增强拉曼散射(SERS)技术和密度泛函理论(DFT)研究对巯基苯甲酸自组装在电化学沉积的金和银薄膜表面的吸附行为.结果表明电化学沉积的金和银薄膜是良好的SERS活性基底. 通过对巯基苯甲酸的SERS光谱分析和DFT理论计算,以及表面选择定则,得到了对巯基苯甲酸主要通过羧基自组装在电化学沉积银膜表面,并且苯环表面可能和银表面有一倾角,对巯基苯甲酸主要通过硫原子和金表面相互作用,并且苯环平面可能和金膜表面有一个倾角