Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy on novel black silicon-based nanostructured surfaces

Two different black silicon nanostructured surfaces modified with thin gold layers were tested for analytical signal enhancement with Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). The relationship between the thicknesses of the gold layers and the analytical signal enhancement was studied. Also, effects of Ti and Ti/Pt adhesion layers underneath the gold layers on the analytical signal enhancement were tested. An enhancement factor of 7.6 × 107 with the excitation laser 785 nm was achieved for the tested analyte, Rhodamine 6G, and non‐resonance SER spectra were recorded in a 5 s acquisition mode. Such an enhancement enables to achieve a detection limit down to 2.4 pg of Rhodamine 6G on a black silicon‐based nanosurface coated with a 400‐nm‐thin layer of gold. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The new nanostructured silicone‐based substrates for Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy were invented and tested. The relationship between gold layer thicknesses and analytical signal enhancement was studied. Also effects of Ti and Ti/Pt adhesion layers underneath the gold layer on the analytical signal enhancement were tested. Enhancement of 7.6 × 107 with the excitation laser 785 nm was achieved for the tested analyte Rhodamine 6G.