Laser-Engineered Nanocomposites for SERS Applications

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful optical detection technique for the development of sensitive and quantitative analytical methods suitable for real-time monitoring. The key to the optimum SERS performance, supporting trace analyte detection, is rational SERS substrate design. This includes all aspects of materials choice, nanoarchitecture and fabrication methods. SERS platform design for the VIS-NIR spectral range is dominated by silver (Ag) and gold (Au) nanostructures immobilised on solid substrates, produced by a variety of top-down and bottom-up fabrication approaches. Despite the apparent progress, the on-field deployment of these systems is still impeded by stability, reproducibility, cost, and scalability issues. Here, we present a rapid and scalable approach to manufacture Ag and Au nanocomposite SERS platforms that can be tailored to specific analyte detection requirements.