Spatially controlled SERS patterning using photoinduced disassembly of gelated gold nanoparticle aggregates

Controlling the assembly of the nanoparticles is important because the optical properties of noble metal nanoparticles, such as the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), are critically dependent on interparticle distances. Among many approaches available, light-induced disassembly is particularly attractive because it enables spatial modification of the optical properties of nanoparticle assemblies. In this study, we prepare gold nanoparticle (AuNP) aggregates in a gel matrix. Irradiation of the gelated AuNP aggregates at 532 nm leads to the disassembly of the aggregates, changing the color (SPR) from dark blue to red and extinguishing the SERS signal along the irradiated pattern, which opens the possibility of facile fabrication of spatially controlled SERS-generating microstructures. The photoinduced disassembly of the AuNP aggregates in solution is also investigated using UV-vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy.