Latticing vertically aligned Ag nanorods to enhance its SERS sensitivity

Vertically aligned silver nanorods were good substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering. It was found that by organizing these nanorods into hexagonal lattice with a pattern size of 400 nm, the Raman sensitivity can be further enhanced by several times. It was also found that this enhancement was dependent on the separation distance of the lattice patterns, which reached a maximum at a separation distance of 200 nm. This study provides an alternative idea to further enhance the Raman scattering using nanostructures.

Graphical abstractThe SERS sensitivity of Ag nanorods can be further enhanced by latticing them into sub-micrometer patterns.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Vertically aligned Ag nanorods are excellent SERS substrates. ► The SERS sensitivity can be further enhanced by latticing them into patterns. ► This enhancement was found dependent on the lattice features.