Improved Precision in Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Quantification of Analyte through Dual-Modality Multisite...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Spectroscopy
• Electrochemistry

Background:

• Accurate analyte quantification via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is crucial for diagnostics and defense but hindered by substrate manufacturing costs and reproducibility issues.
• Existing low-cost SERS substrate fabrication methods often lack the necessary reproducibility and order for reliable quantification.
• A standardized industrial technology for SERS substrate production is still needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel dual-modality sensing approach combining electrochemistry and SERS to overcome limitations in SERS substrate fabrication.
• To enhance the precision, robustness, and predictability of SERS measurements.
• To establish a method for calibrating SERS response with active surface area using electrochemical measurements.

Main Methods:

• A dual-modality sensing strategy integrating electrochemistry with SERS was developed.
• Electrochemical measurements were used to estimate active surface area, which was then used to calibrate the SERS response.
• The technique was applied to multisite measurements to improve assay precision.

Main Results:

• The dual-modality multisite measurement approach demonstrated at least a 2.8× improvement in assay precision compared to traditional single-site Raman measurements.
• The developed technique enhances measurement robustness and predictability by adding redundancy and encoding features.
• The method is adaptable to various SERS substrates and geometries, facilitating broad integration.

Conclusions:

• The combined electrochemical and SERS technique offers a reproducible, sensitive, and low-cost solution for SERS substrate fabrication and analyte quantification.
• This dual-modality approach significantly improves the precision of SERS measurements, addressing a key limitation in the field.
• The technique's versatility allows for its ready incorporation into diverse SERS sensing assays, paving the way for advanced diagnostic and defense applications.