Surface-enhanced Raman studies of bradykinin using colloidal gold

In this paper, bradykinin (BK), an endogenous peptide hormone, which is involved in a number of physiological and pathophysiological processes was deposited onto the colloidal Au nanoparticles. The surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was used to determine the adsorption mode of BK under different environmental conditions, including: excitation wavelengths (514.5 nm and 785.0 nm), pH of aqueous sol solutions (from pH = 3 to pH = 11), and size of the colloidal nanoparticles (10, 20, and 50 nm). The metal surface plasmon of the colloidal suspended Au nanoparticles was examined by ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy. The results showed that the C-terminal part of BK plays a crucial role in the adsorption process onto the colloidal suspended Au particles. The Phe^5/8 and Arg⁹ residues of BK mainly participate in the interactions with the colloidal Au nanoparticles. At acidic pH of the solution (pH = 3), the BK COO⁻ terminal group through the both oxygen atoms strongly binds to the Au nanoparticles. The Phe⁵/Phe⁸ rings adopt tilted orientation with respect to the colloidal Au nanoparticles with diameters of 10 and 20 nm. As the particle size increases to 50 nm, the flat orientation of the Phe ring(s) with respect to the Au nanoparticles is observed.     

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering of 4,4′-bipyridine on gold nanoparticle surfaces

The adsorption structure and mechanism of 4,4′-bipyridine (BiPy) on gold nanoparticle surfaces has been investigated by means of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The aromatic ring of BiPy appeared to assume a perpendicular orientation with respect to the gold surface from the presence of the ν(CH) band at ∼3060 cm⁻¹. The SERS intensities of several vibrational modes of BiPy on Au were found to vary as the bulk concentration. The SERS intensities for BiPy on Au could be ascribed to both the electromagnetic (EM) and charge transfer (CT) enhancement mechanism.     

Raman spectroscopy of gold nanoparticle conjugates of cosmetic ingredient kinetin

We performed a feasibility test of the cosmetic ingredient kinetin (KT)-gold nanoparticle (AuNP) conjugates by means of vibrational Raman spectroscopy and quantum mechanical calculations. The adsorptions of KT on AuNP surfaces were examined by absorption spectra and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The size of KT at the initial concentrations of 10⁻⁵ M with the AuNP composites was measured to be 22 nm. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to estimate the energetic stabilities of KT on an Au cluster atom. The two tautomeric forms of 9H-amino and 7H-amino in KT are predicted to have similar energies on Au. The N3-coordinating geometries in both 9H-amino and 7H-amino forms of KT are predicted to be most stable on an Au cluster. Vibrational analysis also suggested that the two tautomers of KT should coexist in the adsorbed state on Au. The concentration-dependent SERS spectra of KT indicated that 5 × 10⁻⁵ M exhibited the highest SERS signals.     

Gap-mode SERS studies of azobenzene-containing self-assembled monolayers on Au(1 1 1)

Self-assembled monolayers of azobenzene-containing thiols on smooth Au(1 1 1) surfaces were studied by gap-mode surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (gap-mode SERS). By adsorption of colloidal Au nanoparticles on top of the organic adlayer highly reproducible spectra with strongly enhanced intensities are obtained. The observed bands indicate a trans conformation of the azobenzene moieties and are in agreement with structural data for the molecular layer. A characteristic dependency on the terminal and the spacer groups of the molecules is found. Samples prepared during illumination with UV light show pronounced spectral differences that can be attributed to azobenzene in cis conformation.     

Plasmon coupling of R6G-linked gold nanoparticle assemblies for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

This paper presents the study of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for Rhodamine 6G (R6G)-linked gold (Au) assemblies. The nano-assemblies fabricated with Au nanoparticles, having diameters (D) of ～5–40 nm, possessed interparticle gaps of ～0.03–0.2D, respectively. The R6G-linked Au assemblies displayed weak spectral shifts of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) mode at shorter wavelength region and large fractional red-shifts Δλ ～ 0.07–0.47λ_o at longer wavelength region. The resonant spectral coupling of the nano-assemblies LSPR mode at the longer wavelength region and the optical excitation at ～785 nm, in addition to the highly localized hot spots, could support the large SERS enhancement of R6G-linked Au assemblies.     

Concentration dependent Raman study of 1,4-diethynylbenzene on gold nanoparticle surfaces

Concentration dependent adsorption behaviors of 1,4-diethynylbenzene (DEB) on gold nanoparticle surfaces have been investigated by means of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The spectral features including the multiple peaks in the ν(CC)_bound stretching region were found to vary as the bulk concentration of DEB in gold nanoparticles. At a low concentration of 10⁻⁶ M, only the multiple ν(CC)_bound band was conspicuous at ∼2000 cm⁻¹ and the free CC stretching band was barely detected in the SERS spectra. When the bulk concentration was increased, the ν(CC)_free band became prominent at ∼2104 cm⁻¹. These splitting bands may provide the evidence that DEB is adsorbed on gold mainly through one of the two acetylene groups with the other CC groups being pendent with respect to the gold surface. Ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations of DEB were performed to check the vibrational assignment.     

Sensing of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid by surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was obtained by employing a bi-layer gold substrate, assembled by the reduction of Au(III) over gold-seeded nanoparticles immobilized on functionalized glass substrates. The SERS signal was linear with the logarithm of the solution concentrations between 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ and 1.0 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹, indicating that the bi-layer gold substrate affords a significant dynamic range for SERS, providing an excellent analytical response within this concentration range, and revealing the high sensitivity of the gold surface towards such analyte. In addition, using the same gold substrate, a similar calibration curve was obtained for crystal-violet (CV), and it was possible to identify the concentration limit corresponding to the transition from the average SERS to the nonlinear SERS response.     

Raman spectroscopic study of CuO–V2O5–P2O5–CaO glass system

In order to evidence the structural changes induced by CuO and V₂O₅ in the phosphate glass network and their modifier or former role, x(CuO·V₂O₅)(100 − x)[P₂O₅·CaO] glass system was prepared and investigated using Raman spectroscopy (0 ≤ x ≤ 40 mol%).Raman spectra of the studied glasses present the specific bands of the phosphate glasses at low concentration of transition metal (TM) ions, but at higher concentration (x > 7 mol%) a strong depolymerization of the phosphate network appears; non-bridging oxygen atoms are involved in VOP and CuOP bonds and new short units are formed. For a high concentration of V₂O₅ (x > 10 mol%) the Raman bands of V₂O₅ prevail in the spectra; this fact suggests that vanadium oxide imposes its structural units in the network acting thus as a network glass former.2D correlation analysis was also applied for the concentration-dependent Raman spectra in order to verify the assignments of the vibration modes and to find correlations in the changes induced by TM ions content. 2D correlation maps indicate a good correlation between the bands at ∼705 cm⁻¹ assigned to POP stretching vibration and at ∼1175 cm⁻¹ assigned to PO₂ groups which suggest the depolymerization of the phosphate network. The correlation between the 1270 cm⁻¹ and 930 cm⁻¹ bands also suggests that V₂O₅ oxide is responsible for PO bonds breaking and POV formation.     

Adsorption of 4-aminopyridine on Co and Ag electrodes probed by SERS

The adsorption of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) on Co and Ag electrodes in acid or alkaline solutions of KCl and KI electrolyte salts were monitored by the Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) technique. The SERS intensity for the Ag electrode was in 2 orders of magnitude higher than for the Co electrode, due to the enhancement of the Raman cross-section on Ag by the surface-plasmon excitation. In acidic chloride medium (pH 4), the SERS results for Ag electrodes indicate that the protonated form of 4-AP (4-APH⁺) adsorbs in the potential range of −0.1 to −0.6 V (Ag|AgCl|KCl sat) through hydrogen-bonding between 4-APH⁺ and Cl⁻ adsorbed on the electrode surface; at more negative potentials the neutral form 4-AP is the predominant adsorbed species. For Co electrode in the same medium, only bands due to neutral 4-AP were observed in the spectra at −0.8 and −0.9 V. For more negative potentials bands assigned to both 4-AP and 4-AP surface complex are observed, with the lasts being enhanced, as the potentials are turned more negative. In alkaline chloride medium (pH 13), for less negative potentials the bands assigned to free 4-AP were observed in the spectra of both Ag and Co surfaces. For more negative potentials, only bands assigned to the 4-AP surface complex were observed. For 0.1 mol L⁻¹ KI acidic or alkaline solutions, bands assigned to 4-AP and 4-APH⁺ were observed in a wider potential range than in chloride solutions. An adsorption scheme of 4-AP on Ag and Co is proposed for acidic and alkaline solutions.     

An SFG/DFG investigation of CN− adsorption at an Au electrode in 1-butyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide ionic liquid

In this paper we report an SFG/DFG investigation of the adsorption of CN^? – used as a probe molecule to study the electrochemical double-layer structure – at a polycrystalline Au electrode in 1-butyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide ([BMP][TFSA]) room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL). The adsorption of CN^? yielded single SFG and DFG bands in the range from ca. 2125 to 2135 cm^?1, exhibiting a Stark tuning of ca. 3 cm^?1 V^?1. Vibrational resonances – corresponding to modes of the RTIL coadsorbed with CN^?, were found in the range from ca. 1200 to 1500 cm^?1. The study of the double-layer structure was complemented by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements, from which the differential double-layer capacity (C_DL) was estimated.     

Multiple detection of proteins by SERS-based immunoassay with core shell magnetic gold nanoparticles

A highly selective and sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based immunoassay for the multiple detection of proteins has been developed. The proposed core shell magnetic gold (Au) nanoparticles allow for successful protein separation and high SERS enhancement for protein detection. To selectively detect a specific protein in a mixed protein solution, we employed the sandwich type SERS immunoassay with core shell magnetic Au nanoparticles utilizing specific antigen–antibody interactions. Based on this proposed SERS immunoassay, we can successfully detect proteins in very low concentrations (∼800 ag/mL of mouse IgG and ∼5 fg/mL of human IgG) with high reproducibility. Magnetically assisted protein separation and detection by this proposed SERS immunoassay would provide great potential for effective and sensitive multiple protein detection. This technique allows for the straightforward SERS-based bioassays for quantitative protein detections.     

Zeptomolar detection of Hg2 + based on label-free electrochemical aptasensor: One step closer to the dream of single atom detection

An ultra-sensitive and highly selective electrochemical label-free aptasensor is proposed for the quantitation of Hg^2 + based on the hybridization/dehybridization of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) on a gold electrode. Thiol-substituted single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) is self-assembled on the gold electrode surface through the SAu interaction. The hybridization of ssDNA with complementary DNA (cDNA) and the consequences of dehybridization in the presence of mercury ions are followed through differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) responses using a [Fe(CN)₆]^{3 −/4 −} redox probe. The formation of a thymine–Hg^2 +–thymine (T–Hg^2 +–T) complex is the key to producing a highly selective and sensitive aptasensor for Hg^2 + determination. Specifically, the present electrochemical aptasensor is able to quantify Hg^2 + ions in concentrations from 5 zeptomolar (zM) to 55 picomolar (pM) with a limit of detection of 0.6 zM, close to the dream of single atom detection, without requiring a complicated procedure or expensive materials.     

Raman spectra of carriers in ionic-liquid-gated transistors fabricated with poly(2,5-bis(3-tetradecylthiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b]thiophene)

We observed the Raman spectra of carriers, positive polarons and bipolarons, generated in a poly(2,5-bis(3-tetradecylthiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b]thiophene) (PBTTT-C14) film by FeCl₃ vapor doping. Electrical conductivity and Raman measurements indicate that the dominant carriers in the conducting state were bipolarons. We identified positive polarons and bipolarons generated in an ionic-liquid-gated transistor (ILGT) fabricated with PBTTT-C14 as an active semiconductor and an ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide [BMIM][TFSI] as a gate dielectric using Raman spectroscopy. The relationship between the source−drain current (I_D) at a constant source−drain voltage (V_D) and the gate voltage (V_G) was measured. I_D increased above −V_G = 1.1 V and showed a maximum at −V_G = 2.0 V. Positive polarons were formed at the initial stage of electrochemical doping (−V_G = 0.8 V). As I_D increased, positive bipolarons were formed. Above V_G = −2.0 V, bipolarons were dominant. The charge density (n), the doping level (x), and the mobility of the bipolarons were calculated from the electrochemical measurements. The highest mobility (μ) of bipolarons was 0.72 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ at x = 110 mol%/repeating unit (−V_G = 2.0 V), whereas the highest μ of polarons was 4.6 × 10⁻⁴ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ at x = 10 mol%.     

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering of 4-aminobenzenethiol on silver nanoparticles substrate

Active surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) silver nanoparticles substrate was prepared by multiple depositions of Ag nanoparticles on glass slides. The substrate is based on five depositions of Ag nanoparticles on 3-aminopropyl-trimetoxisilane (APTMS) modified glass slides, using APTMS sol–gel as linker molecules between silver layers. The SERS performance of the substrate was investigated using 4-aminobenzenethiol (4-ABT) as Raman probe molecule. The spectral analyses reveal a 4-ABT Raman signal enhancement of band intensities, which allow the detection of this compound in different solutions. The average SERS intensity decreases significantly in 4-ABT diluted solutions (from 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹), but the compound may still be detected with high signal/noise ratio. The obtained results demonstrate that the Ag nanoparticles sensor has a great potential as SERS substrate.     

Spectroscopic studies of the 1:1 complex of piperidine-4-carboxylic acid (isonipecotic acid) with 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol

The 1:1 complex of piperidine-4-carboxylic acid (isonipecotic acid, P4C) with 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol (DCNP), has been investigated by single-crystal X-ray analysis, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. The hydrogen-bonded-ion-pair complex is observed in the crystalline state with the O⋯H⋯OOC hydrogen bond of 2.453(16) Å. FTIR spectrum shows a broad absorption in the 1600–400 cm⁻¹ region characteristic of very short OHO hydrogen bond, broken by the Evans holes. The complexes are joined through NH⋯O into a H-bonding network. The NH⋯O mode appears as a broad band in the range of 3100–2000 cm⁻¹. In the structure optimized at the B3LYP/6–311 + +G(d,p) level of theory the proton is transferred from DCNP to P4C, and molecules are joined through the O⋯HOOC hydrogen bond of 2.640 Å. The experimental and theoretical infrared spectra are discussed. Detail interpretation of the vibrational spectra has been carried out with the use of computed Potential Energy Distribution (PED).     

Highly sensitive electrochemical detection of mercury (II) via single ion-induced three-way junction of DNA

A “signal-on” electrochemical sensing strategy was designed for highly sensitive and selective detection of mercury (II) via its induction to three-way junction of DNA (DNA-TWJ). The TWJ consisted of the capture probe that was self-assembled on a gold electrode surface through SAu bond, the signal probe that was labeled with ferrocene (Fc) and contained single T–T mismatch to capture probe, and an assistant probe for the formation of DNA-TWJ upon the presence of mercury (II). This process caused the Fc tag approaching the electrode for fast electron transfer and thus increased the oxidation current. The “signal-on” sensing method could detect Hg^2 + ranging from 0.005 to 100 nM. The assay was simple and fast. It showed potential application in on-site and real-time Hg^2 + detection.     

A SERS spectroelectrochemical investigation of the interaction of O-isopropyl-N-ethylthionocarbamate with copper surfaces

The interaction of the sulfide mineral flotation collector, O-isopropyl-N-ethylthionocarbamate (IPETC), with copper surfaces has been investigated by surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. Adsorption of IPETC has been shown to involve a charge transfer process in which the sulfur atom in the organic species becomes bonded to a copper atom in the metal surface and the hydrogen is displaced from the nitrogen atom to form a hydrogen ion in solution. IPETC and copper IPETC compounds were characterised by ¹³C NMR and Raman spectroscopy to provide a basis for identifying surface species. The formal potential for the Cu ∣ IPETC system in acid and neutral solutions was found to be 0.131 V and the dependence of the reversible potential on IPETC concentration and on pH to be in agreement with the proposed mechanism. The SERS investigations showed that adsorption of IPETC commenced at a potential more than 0.31 V below the reversible value for the formation of the bulk copper compound; this behaviour is analogous to that previously found for the adsorption of other thiol collectors on metal and sulfide mineral surfaces. An estimate is made of the potential dependence of the interaction of IPETC with chalcocite.     

Carbon encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles produced by hydrothermal reaction

Carbon encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles(CEMNs)were synthesized by heating an aqueous glucose solution containing Fe-Au(Au coated Fe nanoparticles)nanoparticles at 160-180℃ for 2 h.This novel hydrothermal approach is not only simple but alsoprovides the surface of CEMNs with functional groups like-OH.The formation of carbon encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles wasnot favored when using pure Fe nanoparticles as cores because of the oxidation of Fe nanoparticles by H2O during the reaction and,therefore,the surfaces of the naked Fe nanoparticles had to be coated by Au shell in advance.TEM,XRD,XPS and VSMmeasurments characterized that they were uniform carbon spheres containing some embedded Fe-Au nanoparticles,with asaturation of 14.6 emu/g and the size of the typical product is$350 nm.     

Structure of the complex of dimethylphenyl betaine with dichloroacetic acid studied by X-ray diffraction,DFT calculations,infrared and Raman spectra

The structure of the complex of dimethylphenyl betaine (DMPB) with dichloroacetic acid (DCA) (1) has been investigated by X-ray diffraction, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, and B3LYP/6-311 + + G(d,p) calculations. The crystal is monoclinic, space group P2₁. The acid is connected with betaine through the OH⋯O hydrogen bond of 2.480(2) Å. In the optimized structure the short, asymmetric O⋯O distance is 2.491 Å. FTIR spectrum shows a broad absorption in the 1500–400 cm⁻¹ region characteristic of very short OH⋯O hydrogen bond caused by Fermi resonance between νOH and overtones of δOH and γOH. In the Raman spectrum this broad absorption is not observed. The potential energy distributions (PED) were used for the assignments of IR and Raman frequencies in the experimental and calculated spectra. The FTIR and Raman spectra of the crystal complex are consistent with the X-ray results.