High-Performance Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrates Based on the ZnO/Ag Core-Satellite Nanostructures

Abstract

Recently, hierarchical hybrid structures based on the combination of semiconductor micro/nanostructures and noble metal nanoparticles have become a hot research topic in the area of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). In this work, two core-satellite nanostructures of metal oxide/metal nanoparticles were successfully introduced into SERS substrates, assembling monodispersed small silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on large polydispersed ZnO nanospheres (p-ZnO NSs) or monodispersed ZnO nanospheres (m-ZnO NSs) core. The p-ZnO NSs and m-ZnO NSs were synthesized by the pyrolysis method without any template. The Ag NPs were prepared by the thermal evaporation method without any annealing process. An ultralow limit of detection (LOD) of 1 × 10−13 M was achieved in the two core-satellite nanostructures with Rhodamine 6G (R6G) as the probe molecule. Compared with the silicon (Si)/Ag NPs substrate, the two core-satellite nanostructures of Si/p-ZnO NSs/Ag NPs and Si/m-ZnO NSs/Ag NPs substrates have higher enhancement factors (EF) of 2.6 × 108 and 2.5 × 108 for R6G as the probe molecule due to the enhanced electromagnetic field. The two core-satellite nanostructures have great application potential in the low-cost massive production of large-area SERS substrates due to their excellent SERS effect and simple preparation process without any template.

Picosecond Bessel Beam Fabricated Pure, Gold-Coated Silver Nanostructures for Trace-Level Sensing of Multiple Explosives and Hazardous Molecules

“…Thus far, various interesting laser-based spectroscopic techniques, including SERS [57,58], have been surveyed to accomplish the purpose of analytes detection, especially explosives. In recent times SERS has emerged as one of the fastest-growing research topics [59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74], offering fantastic advantages in real-time applications. Surface plasmon resonances in the nano regime, instigating the development of enormous evanescent fields, remain the origin of SERS.…”

Application of Response Surface Methodology for Optimization of Nanosized Zinc Oxide Synthesis Conditions by Electrospinning Technique

“…In particular, ZnO nanoparticles are commonly used for the industrial manufacturing of microelectronic and optoelectronic devices, including metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) gas sensors, light-emitting diodes, transistors, capacitors, and solar cells [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. The high surface area and large volume-to-diameter ratios of nanostructured ZnO (nanorods, nanoflowers, nanowires, and nanoparticles) have enticed scientists to expand their applications in various fields [ 12 ].…”