Gradient metal nanoislands as a unified surface enhanced Raman scattering and surface enhanced infrared absorption platform for analytics

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Dimitra Gkogkou - , ISAS - Institute for Analytical Sciences, Department Berlin (Author)
  • Timur Shaykhutdinov - , ISAS - Institute for Analytical Sciences, Department Berlin (Author)
  • Christoph Kratz - , ISAS - Institute for Analytical Sciences, Department Berlin (Author)
  • Thomas W.H. Oates - , ISAS - Institute for Analytical Sciences, Department Berlin (Author)
  • Peter Hildebrandt - , Technical University of Berlin (Author)
  • Inez M. Weidinger - , Chair of Electrochemistry (Author)
  • Khoa Hoang Ly - , Chair of Electrochemistry (Author)
  • Norbert Esser - , ISAS - Institute for Analytical Sciences, Department Berlin (Author)
  • Karsten Hinrichs - , ISAS - Institute for Analytical Sciences, Department Berlin (Author)

Abstract

In the last few decades, the use of plasmonics in vibrational spectroscopy has expanded the scope of (bio)analytical investigations. Nevertheless, there is a demand for a combined platform that can be simultaneously efficient for Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) and Surface Enhanced Infrared Absorption (SEIRA). Here, we present a solution on the basis of a plasmonic Ag nanoparticle layer with a thickness gradient. The optical resonance along the layer varies from the visible to the infrared range offering optimal and intermediate sites for SERS and SEIRA of the analyte molecule (mercaptobenzonitrile). Enhancement factors for the same mode were determined to be ca. 104 and 170 for SERS and SEIRA, respectively. We present a full optical and vibrational characterization and demonstrate further tunability. The platform resolves reproducibility and comparability issues by a combination of the two methods. It also offers individualized solutions for different investigation conditions, i.e. a choice between excitation wavelengths and resonant Raman molecules. The multiple applicabilities of the presented unifying substrate can contribute to the expansion of the vibrational spectroscopic field and to analytics.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5271-5276
Number of pages6
JournalAnalyst
Volume144
Issue number17
Publication statusPublished - 7 Sept 2019
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 31365006