Silver Nanorods Array on the Zinc Oxide Thin Film Deposited by Hydrothermal Methods for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

Abstract

The wide application of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is based on adaptable substrates, which are primarily limited to rough precious metals and colloidal nanoparticle materials. A novel method to enhance surface Raman scattering is present. This technique is reliant on the local surface plasmon resonance phenomena, in which incident light can be coupled to the plasma at the interface, resulting in a strong electric field. The field can propagate from the surface of the metal–dielectric interface, so adjacent molecules will experience more intense Raman scattering. The physical enhancement method was adopted; silver is deposited on the surface of different pH rough zinc oxide thin film, deposited by hydrothermal methods using the above principle, considerably improving the surface Raman scattering signal. Comparing the enhancement effects of zinc oxide substrates prepared in different pH environments on the Raman effect, the optimal acid–base environment was found, and the corresponding enhancement factors were calculated.

Keywords

• silver nanorods
• zinc oxide
• surface-enhanced Raman scattering