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Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Detection of Biomolecules Using EBL Fabricated Nanostructured Substrates
Published on: March 20, 2015
Silver-particle-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy for biomolecular sensing and recognition
Kwan Kim1, Hyoung Kun Park, Nam Hoon Kim
1Laboratory of Intelligent Interfaces, School of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea. kwankim@snu.ac.kr
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|March 22, 2006
Summary
This study shows that 2-microm-sized silver (microAg) powders can create effective molecular sensors using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). These microAg powders enable selective protein detection when functionalized with specific molecules.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) requires efficient substrates for molecular detection.
- Controlling nanoparticle aggregation is crucial for maintaining substrate performance in solution.
- Developing selective molecular recognition units is key for biosensing applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the utility of 2-microm-sized silver (microAg) powders as core materials for SERS-based molecular sensing.
- To develop a method for preventing microAg particle agglomeration in solution.
- To construct and validate a selective molecular recognition unit using functionalized microAg powders.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 2-microm-sized silver (microAg) powders as SERS substrates.
- Employed layer-by-layer deposition of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) to prevent microAg agglomeration.
- Functionalized microAg particles with 4-aminobenzenethiol (4-ABT) as SERS markers.
- Derivatized the surface with biotin-ylated poly(L-lysine) and grafted poly(ethylene glycol) for protein recognition and reduced nonspecific binding.
Main Results:
- Achieved high signal-to-noise ratios for infrared and SERS spectra of adsorbed molecules on microAg.
- Successfully prevented microAg particle agglomeration using polyelectrolyte coatings.
- Demonstrated selective recognition of streptavidin arrays by the biotinylated microAg powders, confirmed by SERS.
- Confirmed the effectiveness of microAg powders as a prospective material for molecular sensing via SERS.
Conclusions:
- 2-microm-sized silver powders are effective SERS substrates for molecular sensing.
- Layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte deposition prevents agglomeration and enables functionalization.
- Functionalized microAg powders show selective molecular recognition capabilities, particularly for proteins like streptavidin.
- Commercially available microAg powders offer a promising platform for developing advanced molecular sensors.

