Fabrication of multidimensional surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates using bioscaffolds

Abstract

Plasmonics is the field of research which explores the unique optical and electronic effects observed when certain nanoscale metals interact with light. Plasmonic nanostructures that are uniform in size and shape are highly desirable for many applications, including plasmon-enhanced solar cells. Unfortunately, plasmonic structures are difficult and costly to prepare, which limits their widespread application in society. In this work, biological materials are used as scaffolds for the production of highly functional plasmonic materials. This thesis work explores five different biological materials: blue mussel shells, scarab beetle elytra, buttercup petals, damselfly wings and Japanese rice fish scales that are abundant in nature and exhibit interesting nanoscale order. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) were used to characterize each bioscaffold with a focus on developing an optimal substrate by varying the deposition parameters for physical vapour deposition (PVD). The results of this work demonstrate the significant enhancement of the SERS spectra in the case of both damselfly wings and buttercup petals and highlights the promise of using these bioscaffolds as affordable and sustainable SERS-active substrates.