Ordered array of Ag semishells on different diameter monolayer polystyrene colloidal crystals: An ultrasensitive and reproducible SERS substrate

Abstract

Ag semishells (AgSS) ordered arrays for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy have been prepared by depositing Ag film onto polystyrene colloidal particle (PSCP) monolayer templates array. The diversified activity for SERS activity with the ordered AgSS arrays mainly depends on the PSCP diameter and Ag film thickness. The high SERS sensitivity and reproducibility are proved by the detection of rhodamine 6G (R6G) and 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) molecules. The prominent enhancements of SERS are mainly from the "V"-shaped or "U"-shaped nanogaps on AgSS, which are experimentally and theoretically investigated. The higher SERS activity, stability and reproducibility make the ordered AgSS a promising choice for practical SERS low concentration detection applications.