Publication: Supported ultra-thin alumina membranes with graphene as efficient interference enhanced raman scattering platforms for sensing
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2020-01-01
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MDPI AG.
Abstract
The detection of Raman signals from diluted molecules or biomaterials in complex media
is still a challenge. Besides the widely studied Raman enhancement by nanoparticle plasmons,
interference mechanisms provide an interesting option. A novel approach for amplification platforms
based on supported thin alumina membranes was designed and fabricated to optimize the interference
processes. The dielectric layer is the extremely thin alumina membrane itself and, its metallic
aluminum support, the reflecting medium. A CVD (chemical vapor deposition) single-layer graphene
is transferred on the membrane to serve as substrate to deposit the analyte. Experimental results and
simulations of the interference processes were employed to determine the relevant parameters of
the structure to optimize the Raman enhancement factor (E.F.). Highly homogeneous E.F. over the
platform surface are obtained, typically 370 (5%), for membranes with ~100 nm pore depth, ~18 nm
pore diameter and the complete elimination of the Al2O3 bottom barrier layer. The combined surface
enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and interference amplification is also demonstrated by depositing
ultra-small silver nanoparticles. This new approach to amplify the Raman signal of analytes is easily
obtained, low-cost and robust with useful enhancement factors (~400) and allows only interference or
combined enhancement mechanisms, depending on the analyte requirements.
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Keywords
Interference, Enhanced Raman Scattering, Alumina Membrane, Graphene, Nanoparticles, Optical Simulations, AFM, SEM
Bibliographic citation
Aguilar-Pujol, M., Ramírez-Jiménez, R., Xifre-Perez, E., Cortijo-Campos, S., Bartolomé, J., Marsal, L. F., & de Andrés, A. (2020). Supported Ultra-Thin Alumina Membranes with Graphene as Efficient Interference Enhanced Raman Scattering Platforms for Sensing. In Nanomaterials (Vol. 10, Issue 5, p. 830). MDPI AG.