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Au-Based Thin-Film Metallic Glasses for Propagating Surface Plasmon Resonance-Based Sensor Applications
Cheng Wang1, Pin-Jie Chen1, Chun-Hway Hsueh1
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan.
ACS Omega
|June 13, 2022
Summary
Au-based thin-film metallic glass (TFMG) shows promise as a cost-effective activation layer for propagating surface plasmon resonance (PSPR) sensors. This amorphous material offers enhanced properties over traditional gold films.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) sensors commonly utilize gold thin films as activation layers.
- Traditional gold films present limitations such as cost, grain boundary scattering, and susceptibility to corrosion.
- Developing alternative materials with improved properties is crucial for advancing SPR sensor technology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of using an amorphous Au-Cu-Si thin-film metallic glass (TFMG) as an activation layer for PSPR sensors.
- To compare the performance of the Au-based TFMG with traditional gold films in a PSPR sensing configuration.
- To evaluate the advantages offered by the amorphous structure of the TFMG.
Main Methods:
- Deposition of a ~50 nm thick Au-Cu-Si TFMG film on a BK7 glass substrate.
- Tuning the film composition to maximize gold content (~65 at %) while maintaining an amorphous structure.
- Characterization of the film's ability to support SPR and its optical response using angle-resolved reflection spectroscopy.
- Testing the sensor performance with deionized water and ethyl alcohol as analytes with a refractive index difference of ~0.03.
Main Results:
- The Au-based TFMG successfully supported surface plasmon resonance, inducing extinction in the angle-resolved reflection spectrum.
- The TFMG exhibited an angle shift of 4° with the tested analytes, comparable to the 5° shift observed with a gold film.
- The amorphous Au-based TFMG demonstrated potential as a viable alternative to gold activation layers.
Conclusions:
- Au-based TFMG is a feasible and advantageous material for activation layers in PSPR-based sensors.
- The amorphous structure of the TFMG provides benefits including lower cost, absence of grain boundary scattering, improved adhesion, and enhanced mechanical properties (scratch and corrosion resistance).
- This TFMG offers a promising pathway for developing more robust and cost-effective SPR sensing platforms.
