Metallic bullseye nanostructured arrays as a highly active surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate for detection of streptavidin/biotin assemblies*

 Ziqi (Amber) Li, ^† Carlos Fernandes, ^† and Harry E. Ruda^†, *

†Department of Material Science Engineer, University of Toronto, Wallberg Memorial Bldg, 184 College St, Toronto, ON M5S 3E4, Canada

Email: ziqi.li@mail.utoronto.ca

 

Metallic bullseye nanostructured arrays as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates were optimized for the surface-enhanced Raman detection of streptavidin/biotin assemblies. This study shows good quality spectra testing with streptavidin/biotin functionalized over the bullseye nanostructured arrays. The modification of Raman spectra between each step of functionalization implied a change of the secondary structure of streptavidin (strep) and biotin with the interaction.¹ Large SERS enhancement has been noted, which is mainly because of the large local electromagnetic (EM) filed generated between each circle in the bullseye structure. Numerical calculations showed the electromagnetic enhancement for bullseye nanostructures of different widths of circles and different distances between circles.

1. Bi, L.; Dong, J.; Xie, W.; Lu, W.; Tong, W.; Tao, L.; Qian, W. Bimetallic Gold–Silver Nanoplate Array as a Highly Active SERS Substrate for Detection of Streptavidin/Biotin Assemblies. Analytica Chimica Acta 2013, 805, 95–100. 
   
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   We acknowledge the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).