We have fabricated thermally robust surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates with Au and Ag nanoparticles that maintain their discret size and distribution upon exposure to high temperature. Nanoparticles were immobilized on a porous anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) template and heated to 200OC, 300 OC, and 400 OC for 15 minutes. The substrates were characterized at room tempreture with SERS, SEM and XPS after heat treatment. Trapping nanoparticles in the pores of AAO prevented the coalescence of colloids at elevated temperatures, preserving their LSPR and SERS activity. The enhancement factors (EF) increased gradually with increasing temperature due to desorption of stabilizing and reducing agent and hence more binding sites for analyte (R6G). The results will be interpreted in terms of temperature-induced changes in the particle distribution and surface chemistry of both Au and Ag nanoparticles based on the SEM, XPS and SERS studies.

Towards thermally robust SERS substrates for high temperature sensing

245th National Meeting (2013)

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