Tip enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TERS) is a sensitive surface specific technique that combines the spatial resolution of scanning probe microscopy with the chemical specificity of Raman microspectroscopy. The TERS tip performs as a nanoscale antenna of ~20 nm diameter that scans the object enhancing the Raman signal from the optical near-field region of the sample. In this study, TERS was used to investigate the adsorption of the phosphoprotein osteopontin onto the surface of a calcium oxalate monohydrate microcrystals that are the major constituents of kidney stones. Osteopontin is known to be an efficient inhibitor of COM formation and knowledge about its interaction and adsorption to distinct facets of the crystal are relevant to prevent the formation of such stones. Raman maps along with the observed variation of the relative peak intensities of the TERS spectra were collected to probe the distribution of the phosphoprotein adsorbed to the crystal.

Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy investigation of the adsorption of osteopontin to calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals

245th National Meeting (2013)

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