Toward the highly sensitive SERS detection of bio-molecules: the formation of a 3D self-assembled structure with a uniform GO mesh between Ag nanoparticles and Au nanoparticles

Abstract

We report a structure to form a hybrid system in which a mesh is sandwiched between Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) and Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs). This self-assembly method uses smaller and denser AgNPs "hot spots" that are spin-coated on a AuNPs@GO mesh nanostructure formed by the reaction of GO@MoS₂ and HAuCl₄ to form AuNPs@GO mesh@AgNPs SERS substrates. Sub-40-nm mesh and 10-nm gaps ensure the landing sites and spacing of the AgNPs. Consequently, the design integrates the strong plasmonic effects of AgNPs and AuNPs with the biological compatibility of the GO mesh. Crystal violet (CV) as low as 10^-15 M can be detected, which confirms the ultrahigh sensitivity of AuNPs@GO mesh@AgNPs. Furthermore, the reproducibility, stability, and finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations confirm the value of this SERS substrate. This material can be used for label-free DNA detection, and the AuNPs@GO mesh@AgNPs substrate facilitated single-molecule DNA detection limits.