Abstract:
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a highly sensitive technique that can assist in trace analysis for biomedical, diagnostic, and environmental applications. However, a major limitation of SERS is surface contamination of the substrates used, which can complicate the spectral reproducibility, limits of detection, and detection of unknown analytes. This is especially prevalent with commercially available substrates as shipping under a controlled and clean environment is difficult. Here we report a method using dilute bleach solutions to remove surface contamination from commercially available substrates consisting of gold-coated nanopillar arrays that maintains functionality. The results show that this method can be used to remove background signals associated with typical surface contamination in commercially available substrates as well as remove thiolated self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Results indicate the bleach oxidizes the surface contaminants, which can then be easily washed away. Although the metallic surface also becomes oxidized in this process, the surface can be reduced without loss of SERS activity. The SERS intensity of SAMs improved following bleach treatment across all concentrations studied.
摘要:
表面增强拉曼光谱(SERS)是一种高度灵敏的技术,可以帮助生物医学的痕量分析,诊断,和环境应用。然而,SERS的主要限制是使用的基板的表面污染,这会使光谱再现性复杂化,检测限,和未知分析物的检测。这对于市售基材尤其普遍,因为在受控和清洁的环境下运输是困难的。在这里,我们报告了一种使用稀释的漂白剂溶液从市售基材上去除表面污染的方法,该基材由保持功能的金涂层纳米柱阵列组成。结果表明,该方法可用于去除与市售基材中典型表面污染相关的背景信号,以及去除硫醇化自组装单层(SAM)。结果表明漂白剂氧化表面污染物,然后可以很容易地洗掉。虽然在这个过程中金属表面也会被氧化,表面可以减少而不损失SERS活性。在所研究的所有浓度中,在漂白处理之后,SAM的SERS强度改善。