Highly stable and reproducible Au nanorod arrays for near-infrared optofluidic SERS sensor

Abstract

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a sensitive vibrational spectroscopy technique that can enable fast and non-destructive detection of trace molecules. SERS substrates are critical for the advancement of the SERS application. By incorporating SERS substrates into microfluidic devices, the function of microfluidic devices can be extended, and an efficient on-site trace analysis platform with powerful sensing capabilities can be realized. In this paper, we report the fabrication of a rapid and sensitive optofluidic SERS device using a unique Au nanorod array (AuNRA) with a plasmon resonance frequency in the near IR region. The highly stable and reproducible AuNRA were fabricated by a facile dynamic oblique angle deposition technique. A typical spectrum of 4,4-bipyridine (BPY) with enhanced peaks was observed within a few seconds after the injection of an aqueous solution BPY. Time-course measurements revealed an outstandingly quick response of SERS in this system. Using the AuNRA microfluidic device, approximately 2 × 10−12mol molecules were enough to produce detectable SERS signals, and BPY was detected down to a concentration of 15.6 × 10−9 g/mL. This work demonstrates rapid and sensitive chemical sensing using an optofluidic device equipped with a unique noble metal nanorod array.