SERS activity of Au nanoparticles coated on an array of carbon nanotube nested into silicon nanoporous pillar

A novel composite structure, Au nanoparticles coated on a nest-shaped array of carbon nanotube nested into a silicon nanoporous pillar array (Au/NACNT/Si-NPA), was fabricated for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The morphology of the Au/NACNT/Si-NPA composite structure was characterized with the aid of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction instrumentation and Transmission electron microscopy. Compared with SERS of rhodamine 6G (R6G) adsorbed on SERS-active Au substrate reported, the SERS signals of R6G adsorbed on these gold nanoparticles were obviously improved. This was attributed to the enlarged specific surface area for adsorption of target molecules brought by the nest-shaped CNTs structure.

► A novel structure, Au covered on a nest-shaped carbon nanotube array is made. ► The Au nanoparticle film is relatively uniform with a thickness less than 20 nm. ► The composite structure is strongly SERS active using R6G as probe molecules. ► It could clearly detect R6G up to 10−8 M. ► The excellent property is attributed to the enlarged surface area brought by CNTs.