Non-labeled selective virus detection with novel SERS-active porous silver nanofilms fabricated by Electron Beam Physical Vapor Deposition

[Display omitted] •A novel silver SERS substrate was fabricated by EBPVD method and characterized.•The substrate contains nanoscale pore-like structures and cavities, separated by rough surface.•The novel SERS substrate was proposed for detection of viruses and tested, SERS spectra of four viruses were obtained and processed.•Data analysis showed complete differentiation between viral species based on their spectral data. Virus detection is often performed using antibody-based and polymerase chain reaction-based techniques. Such methods have major deficiencies, caused by time-consuming and labor-intensive incubation and purification steps. In this contribution, a novel SERS substrate for qualitative virus detection was developed and described. The substrate is composed of a thin silver film with folded surface structure containing pore-like nanoscale cavities and indentations, deposited on mica substrate by electron beam physical vapor deposition method. Pore-like structures are semi-regularly arrayed, with a rough surface in between, allowing for SERS activity, and their size and periodicity can be manipulated in the manufacturing process. It was speculated that viral particles could be trapped in these structures and would generate easily detectable enhanced Raman signals. The SERS substrate was tested against detection of four virus species – rabbit myxomatosis virus, canine distemper virus, tobacco mosaic virus and potato virus X. Specific spectra were obtained and analyzed for each virus. Data analysis demonstrated successful differentiation between tested species. The reported results demonstrate that novel SERS substrate is suitable for detection and identification of viral particles.