Preparation of large-area surface-enhanced Raman scattering active Ag and Ag/Au nanocomposite films

Ag films on tinning glass substrates were fabricated by modified silver-mirror (Tollen’s) reaction with the advantage of low-cost, simple and quick fabrication process. The obtained Ag films were served as sacrificial materials for preparation of Ag/Au nanocomposite films by immersing in a chlorauric acid (HAuCl₄) solution at room temperature. After a short time of galvanic replacement reaction, Ag/Au bimetallic nanostructures were synthesized with “concave” structures. The morphology, properties and composition of the Ag and Ag/Au nanocomposite films were analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). SEM images displayed that the large area of Ag film and Ag/Au bimetallic nanostructures experienced structural evolution process during galvanic reaction. The UV-Vis spectra showed the absorbencies characterization of Ag film and Ag/Au nanocomposite films. SERS measurements using methylene blue as an analyte showed that SERS intensities of bimetallic films were enhanced significantly compared with that of pure Ag films. The SERS enhancement ability of Ag/Au bimetallic films was dependent on the immersion time for galvanic replacement reaction.