Surface enhanced Raman scattering imaging of carbon onions with a silver nanoparticle immobilized tip

Abstract

In this study, the authors developed the silver nanoparticle immobilized tip as an apertureless near-field scanning optical microscope probe. Also, they developed experimental technique to obtain the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) image of samples over wide range. As a result, the SERS spectra of individual carbon onions could be detected by the homemade tip with a high sensitivity. The results revealed that the intensity of D band varied according to the presence of the defect of the carbon ring in the contact area. Also, carbon rings could be visualized with the maximum scan area of 5μm2.