Graphene modulated 2D assembly of plasmonic gold nanostructure on diamond-like carbon substrate for surface-enhanced Raman scattering

A close-packed 2D assembly of plasmonic gold nanostructure was fabricated on a diamond-like carbon film by a two-step electrodeposition via reduced graphene oxide (rGO) modulation. The oxygen functionalities at the rGO surface which were controlled by changing electrochemical reduction time of GO provided reactive sites for nucleation and growth of gold nanoparticles. The Raman intensity of rhodamine B obtained from the gold assembly showed an 860-fold increase compared with that from Si reference, indicating a coupling of localized electromagnetic field enhancement and chemical enhancement. Our research offered a novel way for metallic plasmonic fabrication to realize their potential applications in biochemical analysis, environmental monitoring, disease detection and food safety.

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► A 2D assembly of gold plasmonics was fabricated by a two-step electrodeposition.
► Electrochemically reduced graphene oxide was used to modulate nanoparticle assembly.
► Oxygen groups at rGO surface provided reactive sites for gold nucleation and growth.
► The assembly displayed high SERS activity and sensitivity for rhodamine B detection.
► A coupling of electromagnetic and chemical enhancement mechanisms