Targeting biological sensing with commercial SERS substrates

Abstract

There is an increasing need for rapid and accurate detection, identification, and quantification of chemical, biological, and energetic hazards in many fields of interest. To meet these challenges, researchers are combining spectroscopy with nanoscale platforms to create technologies that offer viable and novel solutions for today's sensing needs. One technology that has gained increasing popularity to meet these needs is surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). For ideal SERS sensing, commercially available uniform and reproducible nanoscale surface demonstrating high sensitivity are desirable. If these surfaces can be modified for the selective sensing of hazard materials, an ideal sensor platform for dynamic in field measurements can be imagined. In this proceedings paper, preliminary efforts towards the characterization and application of commercially available next generation Klarite substrates will be demonstrated and efforts towards selective sensing will be discussed. ABSTRACTThere is an increasing need and challenge for early rapid and accurate detection, identification, and quantification of chemical, biological, and energetic hazards in many fields of interest (e.g., medical, environmental, industrial, and defense applications). Increasingly to meet these challenges, researchers are turning interdisciplinary approaches combining spectroscopy with nanoscale platforms to create technologies that offer viable and novel solutions for today's sensing needs. One technology that has gained increasing popularity to meet these needs is surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). SERS is particularly advantageous as it does not suffer from interferences from water, requires little to no sample preparation is robust and can be used in numerous environments, is relatively insensitive to the wavelength of excitation employed and produces a narrow-band spectral signature unique to the molecular vibrations of the analyte. SERS enhancements (chemical and electromagnetic) are typically observed on metalized nanoscale roughened surfaces. For ideal SERS sensing, commercially available uniform and reproducible nanoscale surface demonstrating high sensitivity are desirable. Additionally, if these surfaces can be modified for the selective sensing of hazard materials, an ideal sensor platform for dynamic in field measurements can be imagined. In this proceedings paper, preliminary efforts towards the characterization and application of commercially available next generation Klarite substrates will be demonstrated. Additionally, efforts toward chemical modification of these substrates, through peptide recognition elements can be used for the targeting sensing of hazardous materials will be explored.

Flexible SERS-based substrates: challenges and opportunities toward an Army relevant universal sensing platform

“…Raman and Raman-based detection systems rely on specific vibrations within a molecule from which a fingerprint spectrum is produced 14,60,78,79,[81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92] . This fingerprint spectrum can be used for the identification, and in some cases quantification, of unknown materials.…”

“…Since there have been so many examples of fabricated SERS substrates being flexible in material and application, it is important to also discuss examples of specific form and functionality being incorporated into these SERS substrates. One recent literature example was conducted by a group out of Washington University 17,84,92,131,[156][157][158][159][160][161][162] in which specifically designed nanoparticles, referred to as nanorattles, were incorporated into filter paper resulting in a SERS active flexible substrate surface. Please see Figure 7A for example TEM images of the nanorattles.…”

“…Some examples of SERS substrate fabrication include self-assembly through such techniques like drop and dry, directed or templated assembly, thin film growth, and nanolithography. It is suggested that the reader look to several comprehensive reviews and interesting papers for a more complete discussion of SERS substrate fabrication techniques, applications, advantages and challenges3,11,17,24,33,84,85,[108][109][110][111][112][113][114][115][116][117][118][119][120][121] .…”

The development of Army relevant peptide-based surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensors for biological threat detection

“…36 Successful implementation of bifunctional peptides in a sensing platform designed for the selective recognition of hazardous materials has been previously demonstrated. 44 This system employed surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for hazard detection. SERS-based techniques and platforms can combine traditional spectroscopy with nanotechnology.…”

“…It is suggested that the reader look to several comprehensive reviews and interesting papers for a more complete discussion of SERS substrate fabrication techniques, applications, advantages and challenges. 1,[28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47] One of the more common and easily achieved methods for the fabrication of SERS substrates is known as the drop and dry technique. Drop and dry techniques or Film over Nanosphere (FONS) offer some advantages as compared to other fabrication methods like ease of fabrication due to cheaper manufacturing materials, and often being lower cost in skill, time and overall materials as compared to some other more fabrication intensive techniques.…”