We report an optimization of the fabrication method on arrays of vertically grown nanometer scaled silver rod using nanosphere (polystyrene) lift-off on SiO₂ wafer as a surface-enhance Raman scattering substrate by thermal evaporation technology as well as real-time vapor phase detection of CHCl₃ by the radiation of fiber optic coupled 785 nm diode laser. Raman peak at 668.2 cm^-1 for CHCl₃ (C-H stretching band) was compared to the peak at 1088.4 cm^-1 of 1- propanethiol (CH₃ rock band) and the detection limit of CHCl₃ vapor phase contamination level was estimated as a function of the peak intensity ratio of 668.2 vs. 1088.4. The detectable range using Ag nanorod wells on SiO₂ substrate was 20-800 ppm. We were able to make significant steps toward developing cost effective nano-pattern as a Raman sensor.

Date Published: 12 March 2015
PDF: 6 pages
Proc. SPIE 9352, Synthesis and Photonics of Nanoscale Materials XII, 93520O (12 March 2015); doi: 10.1117/12.2078603

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9352:
Synthesis and Photonics of Nanoscale Materials XII
Jan J. Dubowski; David B. Geohegan; Andrei V. Kabashin, Editor(s)