Flexible SERS Membrane: a Universal Platform for Quantitative SERS Analysis

Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has been demonstrated as an efficient tool for highly sensitive molecular sensing. However, the lack of reproducibility in Raman signals limits this technique in quantitative analyses.... [ view full abstract ]

Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has been demonstrated as an efficient tool for highly sensitive molecular sensing. However, the lack of reproducibility in Raman signals limits this technique in quantitative analyses. Herein, we propose a straightforward approach to perform quantitative SERS analyses in homogeneous aqueous environment by using a flexible SERS membrane to eliminate the limitations in solid state measurement.  The flexible SERS chip is composed of a transparent polymer membrane and well-patterned plasmonic nanodimers on its undersurface (figure 1).  The chip spreads and floats on aqueous solution, working as a real-time interface sensor to monitor the absorption and reaction dynamics in solution.  In our experiment, a quantitative SERS agreement with excellent relative standard deviation (< 10%) for Rhodamine 6G molecule is established with a detection limit down to 10^-13 M.  This robust and feasible approach significantly simplifies sample pretreatment procedures confronting practical applications, providing a universal platform for in-situ and real time monitoring of chemical reactions and elucidating reaction mechanisms.