Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of Methyl Orange in Ag colloids prepared by electrolysis method

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-protected Ag colloids were prepared by an electrolysis method. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of Methyl Orange (MO), one of the Azo-dye molecules, in Ag colloids were successfully recorded with good concordance comparing to the theoretical results calculated by the Gaussian’98 program. The MO was adsorbed on the surface of Ag nanoparticles by trans-form which plays an important role for the SERS effect. However, the SERS spectra of MO in Ag colloids prepared by chemical reduction method did not appear which may be because of the competition of the borate or citrate ions with the MO. In order to test the applicability of these colloids, the SERS spectra of Sudan red (III) (SR), another of Azo-dye molecules, were measured and the result was good.     

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of chloramphenicol in Ag colloids prepared by microwave heating method

Ag colloids were prepared by the microwave heating method. The UV‐visible spectrum and the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to characterize the Ag colloids. The surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of chloramphenicol (CAP) in Ag colloids were successfully recorded. The Raman spectra of CAP were recorded with good concordance comparing to the theoretical results calculated by the Gaussian'98 program. CAP molecules on the Ag surface are oriented tilted to the particle surface via C20‐O23, N‐O13, and N‐O23, which played an important role in the SERS effect. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

激光刻蚀银胶的制备及其SERS应用

激光刻蚀技术制备金属胶体是一种新兴的表面增强拉曼散射(SERS)活性衬底制备方法,本文利用激光刻蚀技术制备了'化学纯'银胶,并通过透射电镜、吸收光谱、表面增强拉曼散射光谱等手段对其进行研究,结果表明:银胶的等离子体共振吸收峰位于396nm;银粒子分布比较均匀,多数为球形颗粒,颗粒大小在20nm左右,并且有很好的分散性;吡啶的SERS谱分析显示此银胶具有很好的增强效果。     

电解法制备纳米溴化银溶胶及其SERS活性研究

将一定量的十六烷基三甲基溴化铵溶于500 mL去离子水中作为电解液,用直径为1.0 cm、长为10.0 cm银棒分别作为阴及阳电极,加上7 V直流电压,通电 3 h,用电解方法得到了乳白色的纳米溴化银溶胶。用吸收光谱、对该进行研究。其吸收峰为292.5 nm, 透射式电镜表明纳米溴化银粒径分布在一个较大的范围,既有大小不一的球形粒子,也有大小不一的椭球形粒子,部分粒子产生了凝聚。为测试该纳米溴化银溶胶是否具有表面增强拉曼散射(SERS)活性,选用了阳离子型分子甲基橙(Methyl orange)、中性分子苏丹红(Sudan red)及吡啶(Pyridine)作为测试分子,用二次去离子水配成适当浓度后,与纳米溴化银溶胶按1∶1的比例混合后,置入毛细管样品池中用Renishaw 2000测定,激发波长514.5 nm。结果发现电解法制备的纳米溴化银对这三种分子都具有较强的SERS活性,甲基橙中明显增强的峰是1 123,1 146,1 392,1 448,1 594 cm-1;苏丹红中明显增强的峰是1 141,1 179,1 433,1 590 cm-1;吡啶中明显增强的峰是1 003,1 034,1 121 cm-1。值得注意的是在该方法制备的纳米溴化银上,得到了在常规方法制备的黄银胶、灰银胶上得不到的甲基橙分子的SERS谱,对可能的原因进行了讨论。     

SERS activity and stability of the most frequently used silver colloids

Single‐molecule detection by surface‐enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) spectroscopy has been demonstrated for a variety of molecules. The detection of single molecules that do not have a resonance contribution, SERS, has been shown in the case of adenine. However, when colloidal particles isolated on planar substrates are used as the enhancing medium, the presence of anomalous signals significantly complicates the analysis of the spectra. Selection of a silver colloid that minimizes these spurious signals should improve the ultra‐sensitive detection of non‐resonant single molecules by SERS. A range of silver colloids, prepared by different methods, were investigated with respect to their activity and stability. Minimal anomalous signals were obtained from hydroxylamine‐reduced silver colloids, which suggests that this colloid will be better for ultra‐sensitive SE(R)RS experiments compared to the more common citrate‐ and borohydride‐reduced silver colloids. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New advancements in SERS dye detection using interfaced SEM and Raman spectromicroscopy (μRS)

In the past decade Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) has emerged as a powerful technique for the analysis of artistic, historical and archaeological material culture. However, the identification of organic compounds in complex samples using SERS can be challenging owing to the complexity in optimizing the adsorption of target analytes onto the plasmonic substrate and the difficulty to identify proper areas on the sample for robust SERS analysis using optical systems. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) interfaced with Raman spectromicroscopy (μRS) provides an ideal hyphenated system to overcome the last challenge by: (1) evaluating the nanoparticles coverage/distribution on the sample and (2) locating suitable areas for successful and reproducible SERS analysis. In this paper we demonstrate the potential of a system interfacing SEM and μRS for single fiber, extractionless analysis in the characterization of dyes from reference collections and archaeological textiles. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enhancement in SERS intensities of azo dyes adsorbed on ZnO by plasma treatment

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of azo dyes (methyl orange and p‐methyl red) adsorbed on ZnO nanoparticles were observed. Hydrothermally synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The ZnO nanoparticle size, monitored with X‐ray diffraction, was tuned by calcination to optimize SERS intensities. The observed SERS effect of azo dyes adsorbed on ZnO can be ascribed to charge‐transfer resonance effect. Time‐dependent density functional theory was used to calculate the optical spectra and interpret the chemical enhancement observed in the experiment. The SERS enhancement factors for methyl red on ZnO were boosted by nearly four times and twice with O₂ plasma and H₂ plasma, respectively. However, plasma treatment showed no effect on the enhancement factors of methyl orange on ZnO. We conclude that plasma‐induced defect formation and band gap shift in ZnO and the coupling of energy levels between ZnO and azo dye molecules are responsible for the observed enhancement of SERS intensities. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Absorption,fluorescence, and SERS spectra of sanguinarine at different pH values

We have studied the absorption, fluorescence, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of sanguinarine using a silver hydrosol and an electrochemical cell with a silver working electrode for different pH values in the medium. We carried out quantum chemical calculations in order to interpret the electronic and vibrational spectra and to establish their correlations with the structure of the molecules. We optimized the structure and determined the spectral characteristics of the cationic and neutral forms of the sanguinarine molecules in solution and adsorbed on the surface of an anodized Ag electrode for different potentials. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 74, No. 5, pp. 604–609, September–October, 2007.     

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.     

一种简单的方法制备SERS基底用于染料分子的富集、降解与检测

用一种简单的方法制备银纳米粒子, 研究了此纳米粒子作为SERS基底、吸附剂和光催化剂的多功能性。在光照条件下研究其对染料分子的光催化性能, 用紫外光谱和表面增强拉曼光谱对整个光催化过程进行动态跟踪检测, 实验结果表明染料分子光照条件下确实被催化降解了。本实验不仅合成了多功能的基底材料, 还赋予了表面增强拉曼光谱新的应用价值, 为光催化实验提供了新的动态跟踪检测方法。     

SERS signal response and SERS/SERDS spectra of fluoranthene in water on naturally grown Ag nanoparticle ensembles

We present experimental results of the time‐dependent Raman signal response of fluoranthene adsorbed on a naturally grown Ag nanoparticle ensemble, which serves as surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate. In addition, SERS characteristics such as the concentration‐dependent calibration curves and the limit of detection (LOD) for fluoranthene in distilled water will be shown. The SERS substrate was prepared by Volmer–Weber growth under ultrahigh vacuum condition and exhibits a plasmon resonance wavelength at 491 nm. For the measurement of SERS signal response and SERS/shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy spectra of fluoranthene in water, experimental Raman setup containing a microsystem light source with two emission wavelengths (487.61 nm and 487.91 nm) was used. We experimentally demonstrate that the maximum SERS intensity is achieved 9 min after changing the analyte concentration from 0 nmol/l to 600 nmol/l. This response time is explained by a time‐dependent adsorption of the probe molecules onto the nanoparticles. The LOD for fluoranthene in water was evaluated applying shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy (SERDS) at different molecule concentrations. For SERDS, two emission wavelengths of a prototype microsystem light source have been used for Raman excitation. The experimental results reveal that the LOD for the probe molecules is very low. Experimentally, we have detected a fluoranthene concentration of only 4 nmol/l, which is very close to our estimated LOD of 2 nmol/l. Thus, the presented Raman setup, with a SERS substrate, whose plasmon resonance coincides with the excitation wavelength for SERS measurements, is well suited for in‐situ trace detection of pollutant chemicals in water. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

SERS studies of isolated and agglomerated gold nanoparticles functionalized with a dicarboxybipyridine‐trimercaptotriazine‐ruthenium dye

A dicarboxybipyridine‐trimercaptotriazine ruthenium complex, primarily designed for dye solar cells, has been successfully employed for generating electrostatically stabilized gold colloids, because of its high negative charge and capability of binding to gold nanoparticles via the sulfur groups. Surprisingly, a strong surface‐enhanced Raman scattering enhancement has been observed for the isolated nanoparticles, exceeding those recorded after inducing agglomeration. Such unusual response has been ascribed to the predominant contribution of the charge‐transfer and resonance Raman mechanisms, more than compensating for the lack of the local hot spots, in relation to the agglomerated systems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

一种新型银溶胶的制备、表征及其SERS活性的研究

报道了用一种化学还原方法制备银溶胶的新方法。用紫外-可见光谱和透射电镜研究银纳米粒子的形成过程,粒子形状及粒径分布。结果表明,在反应初期形成球形和棒状两种形状的银纳米粒子,随着反应的进行,大部分的棒状粒子逐渐变为球形粒子,最终棒状粒子少于银纳米粒子总数的3%。因此,最终得到了一种形状均一的,平均粒径为17nm银纳米粒子。同时也用紫外-可见光谱研究了Cl-的加入对这种银纳米粒子光谱性质的影响,结果表明Cl-加速了银纳米粒子的聚集。这种银溶胶有着较高的SERS活性。     

SERS active Ag nanoparticles in mesoporous silicon: detection of organic molecules and peptide–antibody assays

Ag nanoparticles synthesized on porous silicon samples were studied and applied as substrates for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The metallic nanostructures prepared by immersion plating were characterized by UV–Vis reflectance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. SERS activity of the substrates was tested using Cyanine dye 1,3,3,1′,3′,3′‐esamethyl‐5,5′‐dimethoxyindodicarbocyanine iodide (Cy5‐OCH₃) as a probe molecule. The Raman spectra obtained for different excitation wavelengths indicate amplifications ascribed to plasmonic resonances with an enhancement factor up to 10⁷. CGIYRLRS peptides were chemisorbed on the Ag nanoparticles with the plasmonic resonance tuned at the excitation energy. Such oligopeptides were used as baits for a specific polyclonal antibody. The overall Raman enhancement allowed to evidence a good selectivity to the target analyte as required by most of the SERS applications on biological assays. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optical probing and imaging of live cells using SERS labels

During surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), molecules exhibit a significant increase in their Raman signals when attached, or in very close vicinity, to gold or silver nanostructures. This effect is exploited as the basis of a new class of optical labels. Here we demonstrate robust and sensitive SERS labels as probes for imaging live cells. These hybrid labels consist of gold nanoparticles with Rose Bengal or Crystal Violet attached as reporter molecules. These new labels are stable and nontoxic, do not suffer from photobleaching, and can be excited at any excitation wavelength, even in the near infrared. SERS labels can be detected and imaged through the specific Raman signatures of the reporters. In addition, surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy in the local optical fields of the gold nanoparticles also provides sensitive information on the immediate molecular environment of the label in the cell and allows imaging of the native constituents of the cell. This is demonstrated by images based on a characteristic Raman line of the reporter as well as by displaying lipids based on the SERS signal of the C H deformation/bending modes at ∼1470 cm⁻¹. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

固溶态染料激光物质的研究

本文从不同改进的掺Rh6G聚甲基丙烯酸甲脂(PMMA)固溶态物质获得了有效的激光.热稳定性得到改善以及工作寿命得到延长.研究了它们的激射和光谱特性.     

Plasmon‐driven catalysis in aqueous solutions probed by SERS spectroscopy

Since 2010, the plasmon‐driven catalysis using surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in atmospheric environment has been experimentally reported. Recent experimental results since 2014 revealed that catalysis under aqueous condition is much better than that in atmospheric environment. In this paper, we review plasmon‐driven catalysis using SERS under aqueous condition. First, the experimental apparatus developed by ourselves is introduced in detail. Second, we demonstrate the advantages of plasmon‐driven catalysis using SERS under aqueous condition compared to that in atmospheric environment. Third, we review recent experimental results using this measurement method in different experimental settings under aqueous condition. The manipulation of reaction environment effectively provided the possibility to reveal the mechanism of surface plasmon catalysis for different reactions. This method has great potential to apply on ultrasensitive spectral analysis for SERS, catalysis, sensor and biology system under aqueous condition. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

全息干版银膜的制备、表征及其SERS活性的研究

报道了一种新的制备SERS基底的方法。通过对全息干版进行曝光、显影和定影,获得了具有良好稳定性的固体银膜。用紫外-可见光谱测量其表面等离子体共振吸收,发现其吸收谱线在420 nm处存在银粒子的特征吸收峰,且吸收峰具有较窄的半峰宽,这表明采用该方法制备的银膜表面分布着大小均一的银粒子。用扫描电子显微镜对其表面粒子形貌进行表征,发现银粒子分布均匀且平均粒径为100 nm左右。同时以结晶紫为探针分子测量了该银膜的表面增强拉曼光谱,结果表明该银膜具有良好的表面增强拉曼散射活性。采用这种方法制备的银膜稳定性好且易于保存,在常温下空气中放置数月,仍能保持原有的表面增强拉曼散射活性。     

Sensitive Raman spectroscopy of lipids based on drop deposition using DCDR and SERS

Raman spectroscopy is widely used for study of lipids and membrane models. A severe limitation of this technique lies in the low Raman cross section requiring high sample concentrations. We report sensitive detection of synthetic 1,2‐dimyristoyl‐3‐trimethylammonium‐propane (DMTAP) lipid employing two Raman techniques with improved sensitivity: drop coating deposition Raman (DCDR) and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopies. DCDR provided well‐reproducible DMTAP spectra without considerable loss of its solution properties if measured from the ‘coffee ring’ pattern of a drop dried on a SpectRIM^TM plate. DMTAP was detected at ~10 μM initial solution concentration, which is about three orders of magnitude lower than that for conventional Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, SERS spectra from dried ring of Ag hydrosol/DMTAP system were obtained down to ~0.3 μM DMTAP concentration, which means that sensitivity of SERS is about five orders of magnitude higher than that of conventional Raman spectroscopy. In contrast to the DCDR technique, good SERS spectra of DMTAP were obtained only from some spots of the ring containing big nanoparticle aggregates, and the structural properties of DMTAP were significantly perturbed by adsorption on the Ag nanoparticles. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) on silver colloids for the identification of ancient textile dyes. Part II: pomegranate and sumac

The effectiveness of surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) spectrocsopy on Ag colloids has been successfully demonstrated for the identification of a yellow dye in two ancient wool threads found in the Royal Tumulus of In Aghelachem, Libyan Sahara, belonging to the Garamantian period (2nd–3rd century A.D.). High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) highlighted the presence of ellagic acid in the extracts from the threads, excluding other chromophores. This result, together with the abundance of malic acid detected by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), suggested the possible use of pomegranate rind or sumac berries as source of the yellow dye, both plants being documented in the Fezzan area during the Garamantian period. HPLC analyses and SERS spectra acquired on the extracts of the ancient threads were therefore compared with those obtained from pomegranate and sumac extracts of the corresponding fruits and reference dyed wool samples, allowing us to identify the yellow dye as deriving from pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). SERS spectra of ellagic acid and dyes extracted from pomegranate rind and sumac berries are reported here for the first time. A methodological improvement is also presented, based on the use of NaClO₄ as aggregating agent, that leads to a significant increase of the signal‐to‐noise ratio in the SERS spectra. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.