Self-Assembled Metal Colloid Monolayers: An Approach to SERS Substrates

• DOI: 10.1126/science.267.5204.1629
• Publication Date: 2006-10-27T18:19:42Z
• Authors: R. Griffith Freeman; Katherine C. Grabar; Keith J. Allison; Robin M. Bright; Jennifer A. Davis; Andrea P. Guthrie; Michael B. Hommer; Michael A. Jackson; Patrick C. Smith; Daniel G. Walter; Michael J. Natan
• Keywords: Dispersity; Gold Colloid

The self-assembly of monodisperse gold and silver colloid particles into monolayers on polymer-coated substrates yields macroscopic surfaces that are highly active for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Particles bound to the substrate through multiple bonds between colloidal metal functional groups polymer such as cyanide (CN), amine (NH(2)), thiol (SH). Surface evolution, which can be followed in real time by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy SERS, controlled yield high reproducibility both nanometer centimeter scales. On conducting substrates, electrochemically addressable behave like a collection closely spaced microelectrodes. These favorable properties ease monolayer construction suggest widespread use colloid-based substrates.