Enhancing Detection Reproducibility of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering by Controlling Analytes under One Laser Spot

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a sensitive technique for trace analyte quantification.
• Achieving high reproducibility in SERS is hindered by non-uniform analyte distribution, notably the coffee-ring effect.
• Controlling analyte localization on SERS substrates is crucial for reliable quantification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a SERS substrate that overcomes the coffee-ring effect for improved detection reproducibility.
• To enable precise quantification of trace analytes using SERS with enhanced sensitivity.
• To demonstrate a method for controlling analyte location on SERS substrates via wettability tuning.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of ordered silicon patterns grafted with silver nanoparticles using silver-assisted chemical etching and photolithography.
• Tuning the wettability of the SERS substrate to control analyte distribution.
• Utilizing the substrate to confine analytes to plasmonic hot-spots for enhanced signal detection.

Main Results:

• Achieved high detection reproducibility by confining analytes to active plasmonic hot-spots.
• Enabled quantitative analysis of trace analytes with ultrahigh sensitivity.
• Demonstrated the substrate's applicability for high-throughput SERS detection.

Conclusions:

• The developed SERS substrate effectively mitigates non-uniform analyte distribution by controlling wettability.
• This approach significantly enhances reproducibility and sensitivity for trace analyte quantification.
• The SERS substrate offers a promising platform for high-throughput and reliable analytical measurements.