Silver-Coated Fumed Silica as a Substrate Material for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

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-silica-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. © 1989, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

Duke Scholars

Author Tuan Vo-Dinh Biomedical Engineering