We designed substrates of two-dimensional arrays of gold nanorings and nanocrescents on large areas based on shaped nanosphere lithography for surface enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRA). In our nanosphere lithography approach two reactive ion etching (RIE) steps were used. In the first RIE process, oxygen gas reshaped polystyrene spheres. After metal deposition, the second argon plasma etch of exposed metal yielded arrays of nanorings. To form crescents, we used a non-conductive strip placed on the sample edge to bend argon ion flow during the second RIE. Arrays were characterized by scanning electron, atomic force and infrared microscopes. The dimensions of ring-like structures ranged from 170 to 350 nm. Samples were highly uniform, densely packed (7�108 cm-2) and exhibited tunable plasmon resonances in mid-infrared region.  These characteristics made the arrays ideal substrates for SEIRA. Therefore, we used them to study SEIRA of molecules such as octadecanthiol.

Fabrication and characterization of gold nanoring and nanocrescent arrays as substrates for surface enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy

245th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.