A Reusable Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Substrate Prepared by Atomic Layer Deposition of Alumina on a Multi-Layer Gold and Silver Film
- ORNL
- 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 Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 1044715
- Journal Information:
- Applied Spectroscopy, Vol. 65, Issue 4; ISSN 0003-7028
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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