Single-Molecule Chemistry with Surface- and Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Spectroscopy
• Chemical Analysis

Background:

• Single-molecule (SM) surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) are advanced analytical techniques.
• These methods utilize plasmonically enhanced Raman scattering for nanoscale chemical characterization.
• TERS achieves subnanometer spatial resolution for single-molecule imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development and history of SERS and TERS.
• To discuss methodologies for verifying SM SERS and understanding signal heterogeneities.
• To highlight recent advances and applications of SERS and TERS.

Main Methods:

• Plasmonic nanostructures for enhanced Raman scattering.
• Tip fabrication for TERS.
• Verification methodologies for SM SERS.

Main Results:

• SERS and TERS enable chemical characterization of single molecules.
• TERS provides subnanometer spatial resolution imaging.
• These techniques offer new insights into molecular behavior.

Conclusions:

• SERS and TERS provide unprecedented vibrational characterization of single molecules.
• Recent advances show broad applicability in electrochemistry, catalysis, and electronics.
• These techniques overcome limitations of ensemble-averaged measurements.