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Optimization of film over nanosphere substrate fabrication for SERS sensing of the allergen soybean agglutinin
Author(s) -
Styles Matthew J.,
Rodriguez Rebeca S.,
Szlag Victoria M.,
Bryson Samuel,
Gao Zhe,
Jung Seyoung,
Reineke Theresa M.,
Haynes Christy L.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of raman spectroscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.748
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1097-4555
pISSN - 0377-0486
DOI - 10.1002/jrs.6019
Subject(s) - surface plasmon resonance , substrate (aquarium) , raman scattering , materials science , raman spectroscopy , fabrication , peanut agglutinin , nanotechnology , analytical chemistry (journal) , chemistry , nanoparticle , lectin , optics , chromatography , physics , medicine , biochemistry , oceanography , alternative medicine , pathology , geology
Metal film over nanosphere (FON) substrates are a mainstay of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) measurements because they are inexpensive to fabricate, have predictable enhancement factors, and are relatively robust. This work includes a systematic investigation of how the three major FON fabrication parameters—nanosphere size, deposited metal thickness, and metal choice—impact the resulting localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). With these three parameters, it is quite simple to fabricate FONs with an optimal LSPR for SERS experiments with various excitation wavelengths. Some SERS experiments require that the substrates be incubated in organic solvents that have the potential to damage the substrate; as such, this work also explores how solvent incubation impacts the physical and optical properties of the FON substrate. Although no significant increase in physical damage is obvious, the LSPR does shift significantly. Finally, these optimized FONs were employed for the sensing of an important allergen, soybean agglutinin. The FONs were modified with a glycopolymer that has affinity for soybean agglutinin and clear Raman bands demonstrate detection of 10 μg/ml soybean agglutinin. Overall, this work serves the dual purpose of both sharing critical details about FON design and demonstrating detection of an important lectin analyte.