Optical Enhancing Properties in Layer-by-Layer Films of Dendrimer and Gold Nanoparticles

Portable multilayer films containing gold nanoparticles embedded in a dendrimer matrix have been fabricated using the layer‐by‐layer (LbL) technique, characterized and tested for applications in surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Film formation was monitored by microgravimetry measurements using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and UV‐visible spectroscopy. The surface morphology was investigated with atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. SERS was recorded for 2‐Naphtalenethiol(NFT) cast onto the LbL film and the results show that the optical enhancing ability is a function of the number of bilayers. The analytes show an increase of SERS effect that follows the surface roughness, being stabilized after a certain number of bilayers are deposited.