Silver-coated fumed silica as a substrate material for surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Abstract

A new and simple type of substrate for surface-enhanced raman scattering (SERS) was investigated. This new substrate Is based upon sliver-coated fumed silica on surfaces such as glass plates or microscopic slides. Fumed silica, which has submicrometer size structure provides the surface roughness necessary for SERS process. The effects of several experimental factors, including the type of fumed silica, the concentration of the microparticles, and the silver layer thickness were Investigated. The SERS spectra of various organic species were used to demonstrate the efficiency and applicability of the new substrate. Fumed-slllca-based substrates offer many advantages, since they are simple to prepare and easy to handle. The basic material, fumed silica, Is also commercially available at very low cost.

Silver-doped sol-gel films as the substrate for surface-enhanced Raman scattering

“…In agreement with previous reports concerning the Raman spectrum of benzoic acid, the loss of the characteristic CxO stretching vibration at about 1650 cm~1 indicates that the molecular species adsorbed on the metal surface are carboxylate ions (COO~) of benzoate anions. 10,19,20 The SERS spectrum of benzoic acid with the most intense line at 1003 cm~1 shows a one-to-one correspondence with other SERS studies of this acid using silver-coated substrates.8,10,11 In contrast with silver-coated aluminabased substrate, the blank silver-doped solÈgel Ðlm as shown in Fig. 2(B) gives no background emission at 800È1200 cm~1 (Ref.…”

<title>Chemical monitors based on surface-enhanced raman scattering</title>

“…Environmental Chemicals 3,4,6,15 Agricultural Products (Pesticides) 18 Pharmaceutical Products (Vitamins) 19 Biomedical Screening (DNA-adducts) 16,17 Remote Sensing (Fiberoptic monitor) 10,14 Cosmetics 20…”

<title>Novel multilayered SERS substrates for trace chemical and biochemical analysis</title>

“…The roughness of this type of substrate is predefined by the nanoparticle monolayer so that the over-layer film of SERS-active material will adopt that roughness. To provide the underlying roughness, various nanoparticles have been used, for example, titanium dioxide, 23 fused silica particles, 25 and alumina powder. 24 Moreover, SFON substrates are much easier to prepare than most other substrates.…”