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Author Spotlight: Single-Molecule Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Measurements Enabled by Plasmonic DNA Origami Nanoantennas
Published on: July 21, 2023
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Quantizing single-molecule surface-enhanced Raman scattering with DNA origami metamolecules.
Weina Fang1,2, Sisi Jia2, Jie Chao3
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
Science Advances
|October 11, 2019
Summary
DNA origami metamolecules with Fano resonances precisely position single molecules for quantified surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). This breakthrough enables ultrasensitive plasmonic nanodevices for sensing and nanophotonics.
Area of Science:
- Plasmonics and Nanophotonics
- Molecular Engineering
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Metal nanoclusters are crucial for subwavelength light manipulation in nanophotonics.
- Precise control over molecular arrangement in plasmonic hotspots remains a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate DNA origami metamolecules with Fano resonances (DMFR) for precise single-molecule localization.
- To achieve quantified surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) responses using DMFR.
Main Methods:
- Developed a programmable method to anchor large gold nanoparticles (L-AuNPs) on DNA origami frameworks.
- Constructed tetrameric nanoclusters with four spatially organized 80-nm L-AuNPs.
- Investigated Fano resonances and their enhancement effects on SERS.
Main Results:
- DMFR exhibited peak-and-dip Fano characteristics.
- Drastic enhancement at the Fano minimum enabled prominent SERS spectra from single dye molecules.
- Precisely localized single dye molecules and quantified SERS responses.
Conclusions:
- DMFR provides physical insights into single-molecule SERS.
- Opens opportunities for plasmonic nanodevices in ultrasensitive sensing, nanocircuits, and nanophotonic lasers.
