Uniform arrays of gold nanoparticles with different surface roughness for surface enhanced Raman scattering

Uniform arrays of coarse and smooth gold nanoparticles with diameter about 130 nm were successfully synthesized through seed-mediated growth method, separately. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) have been used to study the formation and structure of the nanocomposites. The high enhancement factor for surface-enhanced Raman scattering of coarse and smooth gold nanoparticles were estimated to be about 3.1 × 106 and 2.0 × 106, respectively. It is evident that the coarse gold nanostructures has higher influence factor than the smooth gold nanostructures. Therefore, these unique properties of the coarse Au nanoparticles appear to be very promising for applications as high-performance SERS substrates.

Graphical abstractThe SEM and 3D-FDTD-simulation models for coarse and smooth nanoparticles with about 130 nm; the SERS of coarse, smooth nanoparticles and the probe molecule PMBA with enhancement factor as high as 106.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide