Nanotextured thin films for detection of chemicals by surface enhanced Raman scattering. (2nd November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Korivi, Naga; Jiang, Li; Ahmed, Syed; Nujhat, Nabila; Idrees, Mohanad; Rangari, Vijaya
• Is Part Of: Materials research express. Volume 4:Number 11(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-11-02
• Subjects: surface enhanced Raman scattering -- SERS substrate -- nanotexturing -- chemical detection; Materials science -- Research -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1088/2053-1591/aa9395
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2053-1591

Abstract

Abstract: We report on the development of large area, nanostructured films that function as substrates for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection of chemicals. The films are made of polyethylene terephthalate layers partially embedded with multi-walled carbon nanotubes and coated with a thin layer of gold. The films are fabricated by a facile method involving spin-coating, acid dip, and magnetron sputtering. The films perform effectively as SERS substrates when used in the detection of dye pollutants such as Congo red dye, with an enhancement factor of 1.1 × 10 6 and a detection limit of 10 −7 M which is the lowest reported for CR detection by freestanding SERS film substrates. The films have a long shelf life, and cost US$0.20 per cm 2 of active area, far less than commercially available SERS substrates. This is the first such work on the use of a polymer layer modified with carbon nanotubes to create a nano-scale texture and arbitrary 'hot-spots', contributing to the SERS effect.