Abstract
In this paper, we report on the realization of a highly sensitive and low cost 3D surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) platform. The structural features of the Ag dendrite network that characterize the SERS material were exploited, attesting a remarked self-similarity and scale invariance over a broad range of length scales that are typical of fractal systems. Additional structural and optical investigations confirmed the purity of the metal network, which was characterized by low oxygen contamination and by broad optical resonances introduced by the fractal behavior. The SERS performances of the 3D fractal Ag dendrites were tested for the detection of lysozyme as probe molecule, attesting an enhancement factor of ~2.4 × 106. Experimental results assessed the dendrite material as a suitable SERS detection platform for biomolecules investigations in hydration conditions.
Highlights
In the last few decades, the task of analytic detection has been extensively studied for different application fields, especially for biomolecules and specific markers, towards the analysis of dangerous analytes [1]
In this paper, we report on the realization of a highly sensitive and low cost 3D surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) platform
Additional structural and optical investigations confirmed the purity of the metal network, which was characterized by low oxygen contamination and by broad optical resonances introduced by the fractal behavior
Summary
In the last few decades, the task of analytic detection has been extensively studied for different application fields, especially for biomolecules and specific markers, towards the analysis of dangerous analytes [1]. Templateless methodologies are often obtained by means of the random deposition of Ag ions from salt reduction performed in presence of additives, like citrates, sodium borohydride [43], p-aminoazobenzene [44] or Zn microparticles [45], to improve the long reaction time (from hours to days) due to the weak reducing agent This templateless approach allows for the control of the dimension and shape of the dendrites by using specific capping agents, like polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), during the growth [46]. In this paper, we present the chemical synthesis of Ag dendrites without capping agents or templates for the realization of the fractal repetition of random structures, opening the perspective of hot spot-recursive formation on a broad wavelength range This approach allows for the synthesis of Ag dendrites at a lower cost by using industrially implementable procedures [47]. The fractal silver dendrites proposed here can be added to the list of SERS platforms able to detect biomolecules without affecting their functionality
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