Substrate for surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy, sers sensors, and method for preparing same
AssigneeAcademia Sinica
InventorsYuh-Lin Wang, Huai-Hsien Wang, Chih-Yi Liu, Juen-Kai Wang
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Abstract
This invention relates to methods of preparing substrates that enhance the Raman signal of analytes in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The SERS-active substrate comprises an array of metal nanoparticles at least partially embedded in a template. The substrate's uniform and readily reproducible SERS-active properties with a wide range of analyte concentrations substantially enhance the power and utility of SERS. This invention also provides sensors, as well as Raman instruments, comprising the SERS-active substrates.
Claims12
A method of preparing a substrate with metal particles, effective for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) comprising the steps of:
- (a) preparing a template comprising an array of pits;
- (b) etching the template to enlarge the pits in the template, such that the adjacent, enlarged pits are separated by 3-50 nanometers;
- (c) depositing metal particles into the pits on the template;
- and
- (d) further etching the template to manifest the metal particles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.