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Controllable Self-Assembly of SERS Hotspots in Liquid Environment
De Zhang1, Lisha Tang1, Jie Chen
1College of Optical and Electronic Technology, China Jiliang University, 310018 Hangzhou, China.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|January 5, 2021
Summary
Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) via epigallocatechin gallate reduction enables controllable SERS hotspots. Halogen ions regulate AuNP self-assembly for enhanced surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy detection reproducibility.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Spectroscopy
- Materials Science
Background:
- Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) detection relies on controllable synthesis of metal nanoparticles and effective capture of hotspots.
- Existing methods for synthesizing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and controlling SERS hotspots can be complex and unpredictable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a green, controllable synthesis method for gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using epigallocatechin gallate.
- To investigate the dynamic self-assembly of AuNPs and the formation of SERS hotspots within a droplet.
- To demonstrate the regulation of SERS hotspot formation and enhancement using halogen ions.
Main Methods:
- Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by reducing gold ions with epigallocatechin gallate.
- Control of AuNP morphology by adjusting solution pH.
- Systematic study of AuNP growth kinetics.
- Investigation of dynamic SERS hotspot variations during droplet evaporation.
- Regulation of AuNP self-assembly and hotspot formation using halogen ions.
Main Results:
- Controllable synthesis of different AuNP morphologies achieved by varying pH.
- Systematic study of AuNP growth kinetics.
- Demonstrated dynamic self-assembly of SERS hotspots from liquid sol to solid dry states.
- Successful regulation of three-dimensional hotspot models using halogen ions during droplet evaporation.
- Achieved two stronger SERS intensity areas with high halogen ion concentration and one maximum intensity area with low concentration.
Conclusions:
- The developed green synthesis method allows for controllable AuNP production and SERS hotspot formation.
- Halogen ion addition effectively regulates the self-assembly of AuNPs, enhancing SERS detection reproducibility.
- This approach minimizes unpredictable microenvironments, broadening the applicability of SERS in biological detection.
