Distance dependence of the Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering effect observed in amorphous TiO2 on nanostructured gold

Plasmon resonance of gold nanoparticles is responsible of the electromagnetic (EM) Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) effect. Interaction of an amorphous matrix with a SERS substrate was studied. Thin films with different thickness of amorphous TiO2 coated on a Klarite® substrate show a 100 times enhancement of the Raman signal. Distance dependence of the SERS interaction was shown to be less than 60 nm.

Graphical abstractSchematic representation of the SERS interaction for TiO2 thin films (60nm, 120nm,180nm) coated onto a Klarite® substrate.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (46 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Amorphous TiO2 thin films were coated on a Klarite® substrate to study SERS effect. ► A X100 enhancement of the Raman effect in an amorphous TiO2 matrix is demonstrated. ► Distance dependence of SERS effect for TiO2 on gold is studied (<60 nm).