A Reusable Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Substrate Prepared by Atomic Layer Deposition of Alumina on a Multi-Layer Gold and Silver Film

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2011 · Applied Spectroscopy

OSTI ID:1044715

Dai, Sheng ^[1]; Mahurin, Shannon Mark ^[1]; John, Joshy ^[1]; Sepaniak, Michael ^[2]

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1. ORNL
2. University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK)

A thermally stable, reusable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate consisting of a gold/silver bi-layer film with a protective alumina coating is reported. The film is synthesized by thermally evaporating sequential layers of gold and silver followed by coating an ultra-thin alumina layer using atomic layer deposition. The use of gold as the foundational layer improves the thermal stability of the metal bi-layer film while providing the additional ability to tune the SERS response. Deposition of the thin alumina overlayer on the bi-layer film creates a SERS substrate capable of enduring multiple high-temperature exposures to 400 C with minimal loss of enhancement capabilities. We demonstrate the multi-use capability of the substrate by measuring the SERS spectrum of rhodamine 6G followed by a thermal treatment at 400 C to remove the analyte. A representative substrate was used to acquire SERS spectra of rhodamine 6G up to five repeat measurements, thus establishing the reusability of this relatively simple, inexpensive, and stable substrate.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
• Sponsoring Organization: SC USDOE - Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1044715
• Journal Information: Applied Spectroscopy, Journal Name: Applied Spectroscopy Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 65; ISSN 0003-7028; ISSN APSPA4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
COATINGS
DEPOSITION
GOLD
RHODAMINES
SCATTERING
SILVER
SPECTRA
STABILITY
SUBSTRATES