Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering of 4‐mercaptopyridine on sub‐monolayers of α‐Fe2O3 nanocrystals (sphere,spindle, cube)

We report surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra from 4‐mercaptopyridine (4‐Mpy) adsorbed on sub‐monolayers of α‐Fe₂O₃ nanocrystals (sphere, spindle, cube). The maximum enhancement factor has been estimated to be about 10⁴ compared to that of 4‐Mpy in solution. A possible mechanism has been proposed that the charge transfer between the α‐Fe₂O₃ nanocrystals and the 4‐Mpy molecules is most likely responsible for the observed enhancement of Raman intensity of adsorbed 4‐Mpy molecules as surface plasmon resonances have not occurred. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vibrational spectroscopic studies and computational study of methyl(2‐methyl‐4,6–dinitrophenylsulfanyl)ethanoate

FT‐IR and FT‐Raman spectra of methyl(2‐methyl‐4,6–dinitrophenylsulfanyl)ethanoate (MDIE) were recorded and analyzed. Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra were recorded in silver colloid and silver electrode. The vibrational wavenumbers were computed using HF/6‐31G* and B3LYP/6‐31G* basis. The data obtained from vibrational wavenumber calculations are used to assign vibrational bands obtained in infrared and Raman spectroscopies as well as in SERS of the studied molecule. The first hyperpolarizability and infrared intensities are reported. The geometrical parameters of the title compound are in agreement with the reported similar derivatives. The presence of new bands at 1045 and 948 cm⁻¹ in the SERS spectrum in silver electrode is related to the change in orientation of the molecule with respect to the metal surface. In silver colloid SERS spectrum, the methyl group attached to the methoxy carbonyl group is close to the metal surface, whereas on silver electrode the methyl group attached to the phenyl ring is close to the metal surface. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A simple method for the preparation of ultrahigh sensitivity surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active substrate

By immersing mica modified with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) into the silver colloid, a high efficient surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active substrate was formed within 2 h at room temperature. The limit of detection of the substrate for Rhodamine 6G is up to 1×10⁻¹⁴ M. Changing the concentration of silver colloid and the treating time, various silver aggregates such as nanocrystals, clusters and films were found, and the SERS spectra of these aggregates were also obtained. The results of SERS revealed that CTAB could accelerate aggregation of the silver colloid and cause great Raman enhancement. Bilayer of CTAB is very important for aggregation of silver colloid and the aggregation extent is the main factor for the enormous enhancement on this substrate.     

Theoretical elucidation of the origin of surface‐enhanced Raman spectra of PCB52 adsorbed on silver substrates

To better understand experimentally observed surface‐enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) adsorbed on nanoscaled silver substrates, a systematic theoretical study was performed by carrying out density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory calculations. 2,2′,5,5′‐tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB52) was chosen as a model molecule of PCBs, and Ag_n (n = 2, 4, 6, and 10) clusters were used to mimic active sites of substrates. Calculated normal Raman spectra of PCB52–Ag_n (n = 2, 4, 6, and 10) complexes are analogical in profile to that of isolated PCB52 with only slightly enhanced intensity. In contrast, the corresponding SERS spectra calculated at adopted incident light are strongly enhanced, and the calculated enhancement factors are 10⁴ ~ 10⁵. Thus, the experimentally observed SERS phenomenon of PCBs supported on Ag substrates should correspond to the SERS spectra rather than the normal Raman spectra. The dominant enhancement in Raman intensities origins from the charge transfer resonance enhancement between the molecule and clusters. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of calixarene to high active surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates suitable for in situ detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in seawater

The characteristics of the sol–gel matrix embedding Ag nanoparticles functionalized with 25,27‐dimercaptoacetic acid‐26,28‐dihydroxy‐4‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arene (DMCX) suitable for the in situ detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in seawater is presented. The DMCX‐functionalized silver nanoparticles were produced by the thermal reduction method in xerogel film. The silver colloid blocks were formed in the sol–gel matrix, with a diameter ranging from 50 to 120 nm. DMCX forming the monolayer on the silver nanoparticle surface contributes to the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity due to the aggregation of silver nanoparticles and the preconcentration of PAH molecules within the zone of electromagnetic enhancement. When selected, PAH molecules e.g. pyrene and naphthalene were adsorbed onto the SERS substrate; Raman band positions of PAH were slightly shifted. A calibration procedure reveals that this type of SERS substrate has a limit of detection of 3 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol/l for pyrene and 13 × 10⁻⁹ mol/l for naphthalene in artificial seawater. The Raman signal response on a pyrene concentration change in artificial seawater was evaluated using a 671‐nm Raman setup with a flow‐through cell. This type of SERS substrate will be suitable for the in situ trace detection of pollutant chemicals in seawater. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental and theoretical studies of Raman spectroscopy on 4‐mercaptopyridine aqueous solution and 4‐mercaptopyridine/Ag complex system

Raman scattering and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) have been used to study the behavior of 4‐mercaptopyridine (4‐Mpy) dissolved in water and adsorbed on silver mirrors. In order to gain the actual structure and the theoretical modes of the 4‐Mpy dissolved in water and adsorbed on the surface of silver mirror, ab initio calculation at the Hartree–Fock (HF) level and density functional theory (DFT) at Beck's three‐parameter Lee‐Yang‐Parr (B3LYP) level were performed to calculate the vibrational modes and wavenumbers. 4‐Mpy/2H₂O and 4‐Mpy/Ag complex systems were optimized, and then the corresponding Raman spectra were calculated and analyzed. Compared with the experimental results, the calculated results of 4‐Mpy and 4‐Mpy/2H₂O complex systems obtained from DFT method were more accurate. Among the results calculated with HF method, the one with three Ag atoms was economical, which took less computer time but gave equivalent results to those with more noumber of Ag atoms. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ultra sensitive surface‐enhanced Raman scattering detection based on monolithic column as a new type substrate

A novel ultrasensitive detection method utilizing surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) based on monolithic column was developed in the present study. Monolithic column is a kind of chromatographic stationary phase that contains highly interconnected pores and absorbs chemical components efficiently. Dropping a mixture solution containing analyte, silver colloid, and NaCl on the surface in advance, SERS signals were collected on the surface of the monolithic column. With this method, five commonly used probe molecules of Rhodamine 6G (R6G), p‐aminothiophenol, Rhodamine 123, crystal violet, thymine, and two chemicals that are used in agriculture (paraquat and flusilazole) were detected. Especially, R6G and p‐aminothiophenol can be detected at extremely low concentrations of 10^–18 and 10^–16 mol/L at milliliter level, respectively. The enhancement factor was calculated to be approximately 10¹⁴ for R6G detection. The results suggest that the monolithic column does improve the sensitivity of SERS detection dramatically and the topography of the monolithic column is essential for the enhancement. The easy operability and the significant enhancement are the greatest advantages of this method. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering on colloid gels originated from low molecular weight gelator

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) on silver and gold colloid gels formed by a low molecular weight organic gelator, bis‐(S‐phenylalanine) oxalyl amide, was obtained. Strong Raman signals dominate in the SERS spectra of hydrogels containing silver nanoparticles prepared by citrate and borohydride reduction methods, whereas broad bands of low intensity are detected in the spectra of gold colloid gels. Resemblance between Raman spectrum of the crystalline substance and the SERS spectra of the silver nanoparticle–hydrogel composites implies the electromagnetic nature of the signal enhancement. A change in Raman intensity of the benzene and amide II bands caused by an increase in temperature and concentration indicates that the gelling molecules are strongly attached through the benzene moieties to the metal nanoparticles while participating in gel formation by intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the adjacent oxalyl amide groups. Transmission electron microscopy reveals a dense gel structure in the close vicinity of the enhancing metal particles for both silver colloid gels. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

SERS activity of pulsed laser ablated silver thin films with controlled nanostructure

The surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity of silver thin films deposited by the pulsed laser ablation technique was investigated. The samples were grown in a controlled Ar atmosphere at pressures ranging between 10 and 70 Pa, and changing the number of laser pulses. Different surface morphologies, from isolated nearly spherical nanoparticles (NPs) to larger islands with smooth edges, were observed by means of scanning and transmission electron microscopies, as a function of the different deposition conditions adopted. SERS measurements were performed by soaking the samples in rhodamine 6G aqueous solutions over the concentration range between 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ and 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ M . Raman spectra were acquired using both the 632.8 and 514.5 nm excitation sources. The dependence of the SERS activity of the samples on the observed surface morphology is presented and discussed. The presence of the so called hot spots is envisaged. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization and optimization of AuNPs labeled by Raman reporters on glass based on silver enhancement

In this report, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) labeled by Raman reporters (AuNPs‐R6G) were assembled on glass and used as the seeds to in situ grow silver‐coated nanostructures based on silver enhancer solution, forming the nanostructures of AuNPs‐R6G@Ag, which were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV‐visible spectroscopy. More importantly, the obtained silver‐coated nanostructures can be used as a surface enhancement Raman scattering (SERS) substrate. The different SERS activities can be controlled by the silver deposition time and assembly time of AuNPs‐R6G on glass. The results indicate that the maximum SERS activity could be obtained on AuNPs‐R6G when these nanostructures were assembled on glass for 2 h with silver deposition for 2 min. In addition, the reproducibility of SERS signal on the fabricated nanostructures is very high with the intensity error lower than 15%, which has great promise as a probe for application in bioanalysis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Direct observation of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering in ZnO nanocrystals

We have been able to observe the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) from 4‐mercaptopyridine (4‐Mpy) molecules adsorbed on ZnO nanocrystals, which display 10³ enhancement factors (EFs). An excitation wavelength‐dependent behavior is clearly observed. Another molecule BVPP is also observed to have surface‐enhanced Raman signals. The chemical enhancement is most likely responsible for the observed enhancement, since plasmon resonances are ruled out. The research is important not only for a better understanding of the SERS mechanism, but also for extension of the application of Raman spectroscopy to a variety of adsorption problems on a semiconductor surface. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In situ nucleation and growth of silver nanoparticles in membrane materials: a controllable roughened SERS substrate with high reproducibility

A controllable roughened silver surface with high surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity and high reproducibility has been developed in this study. This silver surface was prepared by silver nucleation in polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) and silver‐enlarged growth. First, the small Ag nuclei were synthesized by NaBH₄ in situ reduction of Ag ions on a surface of PEMs. Then the small Ag nuclei formed were effectively enlarged by using a mixture of commercially available reagents named Li Silver . The optical properties and morphologies of the silver substrates have been investigated by ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The UV–vis and AFM results revealed that the small Ag nuclei separately appeared on the PEMs after NaBH₄ in situ reduction. The size of the enlarged Ag nanoparticles can be easily controlled with the immersing cycle in Li Silver. 4‐Mercaptopyridine (4‐MPY) and Rhodamine 6G (R6G) have been used as Raman probes to evaluate the properties of the new SERS substrates. It has been found that the enhancement factor of R6G reached ∼10⁹ after treatment in Li Silver. Reproducibility has been investigated using the SERS signal intensity at 1094 cm⁻¹ of 4‐MPY. Signals collected over multiple spots within the same substrate resulted in a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 6.38%, while an RSD of 10.33% was measured in signals collected from different substrates. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Protein adsorption drastically reduces surface‐enhanced Raman signal of dye molecules

There is an increasing interest in developing surface enhancement Raman spectroscopy methods for intracellular biomolecule and for in vitro protein detection that involve dye or protein–dye conjugates. In this work, we have demonstrated that protein adsorption on silver nanoparticle (AgNP) can significantly attenuate the surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) signal of dye molecules in both protein/dye mixtures and protein/dye conjugates. SERS spectra of 12 protein/dye mixtures were acquired using 4 proteins [bovine serum albumin (BSA), lysozyme, trypsin, and concanavalin A] and three dyes [Rhodamine 6G, adenine, and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)]. Besides the protein/dye mixtures, spectra were also obtained for the free dyes and four FITC‐conjugated proteins. While no SERS signal was observed in protein/FITC mixtures or conjugates, a significantly reduced SERS intensity (up to 3 orders of magnitude) was observed for both R6G and adenine in their respective protein mixtures. Quantitative estimation of the number of dye molecules absorbed onto AgNP implied that the degree of R6G SERS signal reduction in the R6G/BSA sample is 2 to 3 orders of magnitude higher than what could be accounted for by the difference in the amount of the absorbed dyes. This finding has significant implications for both intracellular SERS analyses and in vitro protein detection using SERS tagging strategies that rely on Raman dyes as reporter molecules. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Novel highly sensitive Cu‐based SERS platforms for biosensing applications

Novel surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) platforms have been prepared and used for the bacteria detection. Unlike typical, expensive SERS platforms prepared from gold or silver, the presented platforms are prepared using copper. A new, simple, cost‐efficient and fast high pressure method is used for platform fabrication, through the decomposition of copper hydride. The platform enhancement factors are verified using the malachite green isothiocyanate as a standard. The platforms exhibit extremely high SERS enhancement factors depending on pressure used for their preparation. The calculated enhancement factors have been found in the range between 1.5 × 10⁶ and 4.6 × 10⁷. The SERS spectra reproducibility is established both across a single platform and among different platforms. The average spectral correlation coefficient (Γ) has been calculated to be 0.82. Fully characterized SERS platforms have then been used for detecting Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. These novel platforms have great potential to become excellent tools for biological or medical diagnostics as an alternative to more common silver or gold SERS platforms. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering within silver‐nanoparticle‐decorated nanometric apertures

An analytical approach using enhanced Raman spectroscopy to record molecular vibrations and associated molecular images within nanometric apertures is presented, which can essentially rival or surpass its counterparts, i.e. fluorescence microscopy, by providing unique structure‐specific information forward to chemical identification and structure elucidation. Utilizing a precise nanolithographic technology and the following chemically electroless silver deposition procedure, we deliberately construct the large scale zero‐mode waveguide array in gold film with embossed silver nanostructures on the bottom of nanowells capable of acquiring enhanced Raman spectra with substantial sensitivity and high chemical fidelity. Two chemicals, aminothiophenol (4‐ATP) and Rhodamine 6G, respectively, are employed as molecular indicators to successfully demonstrate the capability of this analytical strategy by exhibiting high‐quality Raman spectra and 2D chemical‐specific images. With a high magnitude objective (60×), we enable to acquire Raman spectra from a single nanometric aperture and quantitatively determine a peak enhancement factor of 3.63 × 10⁵ for ATP, while 1.25 × 10⁶ to Rhodamine 6G, comparable with a regular nanoparticle‐based surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy‐active substrate. Overall, the compelling characteristics of this detection scheme highlight its privileges for interrogating the individual molecular behavior in extremely confined geometry and illustrating the chemical insights of trace components without any labeling reagent and extra sample preparation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rapid atto‐molar level detection of surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy technique based on glycidyl methacrylate–ethylene dimethacrylate (GMA–EDMA) porous material

A novel miniature device for rapid ultra‐sensitive surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection was developed in the present study. The device was made of a syringe, a piece of filter, and a Teflon tube. Therefore, it was with advantages of simplicity, miniaturization, and easy operability. The tube was filled in advance with the glycidyl methacrylate‐ethylene dimethacrylate powder porous material which has been proved to increase the sensitivity of normal SERS dramatically, then the mixture solution containing the analyte, silver colloid, and NaCl solution passed through the porous material by the action of the syringe. SERS signals were collected from the surface of the material. Rhodamine 6G (R6G), p‐aminothiophenol (PATP), and thiabendazole (TBZ) were employed as the probe molecules in the present work. R6G at microlitre‐scale can be detected at an extremely low concentration of 10^–18 mol/l, and the relative standard deviation of spot to spot is 14.16% at the intensity of the band at 609 cm⁻¹. The concentrations of PATP and TBZ that can be detected with the method are 10⁻¹¹ mol/l and 1.3 × 10⁻⁶ mol/l, respectively. This method not only has achieved the ultra‐sensitive detection of dye and pesticide but also realized the simple, rapid, and small sample quantity requirement detection, and it is of great potential use for lots of analytes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

IR,Raman and SERS spectra of ethyl salicylate

The IR and Raman spectra of ethyl salicylate were recorded and analyzed. The surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectrum was recorded in a silver colloid. The vibrational wavenumbers of the compound have been computed using the Hartree‐Fock/6‐31G* basis. The direction of charge transfer contribution to SERS has been discussed from the frontier orbital theory. The presence of methyl modes in the SERS spectrum indicates the nearness of the methyl group to the metal surface and the presence of ring vibrations and out‐of‐plane ring modes in the SERS spectrum suggests a flat orientation of the molecule on the silver surface. The first hyperpolarizability is calculated and the calculated molecular geometry has been compared with the reported similar structures. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Self‐assembled silver nanoparticle monolayer on glassy carbon: an approach to SERS substrate

In this paper, the fabrication of an active surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate by self‐assembled silver nanoparticles on a monolayer of 4‐aminophenyl‐group‐modified glassy carbon (GC) is reported. Silver nanoparticles are attached to the substrate through the electrostatic force between the negatively charged silver nanoparticles and the positively charged 4‐aminophenyl groups on GC. The active SERS substrate has been characterized by means of tapping‐mode atomic force microscopy (AFM), indicating that large quantities of silver nanoparticles are uniformly coated on the substrate. Rhodamine 6G (R6G) and p‐aminothiophenol (p‐ATP) are used as the probe molecules for SERS, resulting in high sensitivity to the SERS response, with the detection limit reaching as low as 10⁻⁹ M . This approach is easily controlled and reproducible, and more importantly, can extend the range of usable substrates to carbon‐based materials for SERS with high sensitivity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nanostructured substrate with nanoparticles fabricated by femtosecond laser for surface-enhanced Raman scattering

A simple and fast method to fabricate nanostructured substrates with silver nanoparticles over a large area for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is reported. The method involves two steps: (1) dip the substrate into a silver nitrate solution for a few minutes, remove the substrate from the solution, and then air dry and (2) process the silver nitrate coated substrate by femtosecond (fs) laser pulses in air. The second step can create silver nanoparticles distributed on the nanostructured surface of the substrate by the photoreduction of fs multiphoton effects. This study demonstrates that an enhancement factor (EF) greater than 5×10⁵, measured by 10⁻⁶ M Rhodamine 6G solution, can be achieved. The proposed technique can be used to integrate the SERS capability into a microchip for biomedical and chemical analysis.     

Charge‐transfer contributions in surface‐enhanced Raman scattering from Ag,Ag2S and Ag2Se substrates

The degree of charge‐transfer in Ag–4‐mercaptopyridine (Mpy) and Ag₂S–4‐Mpy systems is investigated by use of surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Ag₂S and Ag₂Se nanoparticles are prepared on the basis of the former formation of Ag nanoparticles to make the SERS analytical objects comparable. We utilize the intensity of the non‐totally symmetric modes (either b₁ or b₂) as compared with the totally symmetric a₁ modes to measure the degree of charge‐transfer. We find ~25% of charge‐transfer contribution for Ag–4‐Mpy, whereas 81 ~ 93% for Ag₂S–4‐Mpy. It means that the charge‐transfer resonance contribution dominates the overall enhancement in SERS of Ag₂S–4‐Mpy. Energy level diagram is applied to discuss the likely charge‐transfer transition between Ag, Ag₂S, Ag₂Se and 4‐Mpy. This article may point out the link among the three main resonance sources and could enable some insights into the electronic pathways available to the metal‐molecule and semiconductor‐molecule systems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.