A sensitive SERS substrate based on Au/TiO2/Au nanosheets

• An easy-prepared Au/TiO2/Au nanosheet are fabricated as SERS substrate.
• Stronger SERS signal (EF is ∼107) is found as compared to the Au/Ti system.
• Influence factors as concentration and deposition time were discussed.
• The substrates are with good homogeneity (RSD <10% by Raman mapping).
• The substrates can be applied in label-free detection of adenine.

Sensitive SERS substrates based on Au/TiO2/Au nanosheet have been prepared by physically sputtering Au nanoparticles onto fabricated TiO2 nanosheets. The Au/TiO2/Au nanosheets show much stronger SERS signal as compared to normal Au/Ti substrates by increasing surface area and effectively inducing plasmonic coupling between adjoining Au nanoparticles. In addition, influence factors such as concentration of probe solution and deposition time of gold nanoparticles were discussed. This study provides an easy-prepared and label-free substrate for the detection of biomolecule.

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