U.S. patent application number 11/090352 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-01 for binary arrays of nanoparticles for nano-enhanced raman scattering molecular sensors.
Invention is credited to Alexandre M. Bratkovski, Theodore I. Kamins.
Application Number | 20070252979 11/090352 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38647959 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070252979 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bratkovski; Alexandre M. ;
et al. |
November 1, 2007 |
BINARY ARRAYS OF NANOPARTICLES FOR NANO-ENHANCED RAMAN SCATTERING
MOLECULAR SENSORS
Abstract
A nano-enhanced Raman scattering (NERS)-active structure
includes a substrate, a monolayer of nanoparticles disposed on a
surface of the substrate, and a spacer material surrounding each
nanoparticle in the monolayer of nanoparticles. The monolayer of
nanoparticles includes a first plurality of nanoparticles and a
second plurality of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles of the second
plurality are interspersed among the first plurality and exhibit a
plasmon frequency that differs from any plasmon frequency exhibited
by the first plurality. Also described are a method for forming
such a NERS-active structure and a NERS system that includes a
NERS-active structure, an excitation radiation source, and a
detector for detecting Raman scattered radiation.
Inventors: |
Bratkovski; Alexandre M.;
(Mountain View, CA) ; Kamins; Theodore I.; (Palo
Alto, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HEWLETT PACKARD COMPANY
P O BOX 272400, 3404 E. HARMONY ROAD
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ADMINISTRATION
FORT COLLINS
CO
80527-2400
US
|
Family ID: |
38647959 |
Appl. No.: |
11/090352 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
356/301 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 21/658
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
356/301 |
International
Class: |
G01J 3/44 20060101
G01J003/44; G01N 21/65 20060101 G01N021/65 |
Claims
1. A two-dimensional array of nanoparticles usable for enhancing
Raman scattered radiation in NERS comprising: a first plurality of
nanoparticles; and a second plurality of nanoparticles of size and
shape substantially similar to the size and shape of the first
plurality of nanoparticles, the second plurality of nanoparticles
exhibiting a plasmon frequency differing from any plasmon frequency
exhibited by the first plurality of nanoparticles, the second
plurality of nanoparticles being interspersed among the first
plurality of nanoparticles in the two-dimensional array of
nanoparticles.
2. The two-dimensional array of nanoparticles as recited in claim
1, wherein the first plurality of nanoparticles and the second
plurality of nanoparticles have a generally spherical shape and an
average diameter of less than about 100 nanometers.
3. The two-dimensional array of nanoparticles as recited in claim
2, wherein the first plurality of nanoparticles and the second
plurality of nanoparticles have an average diameter within a range
from about 1 nanometer to about 25 nanometers.
4. The two-dimensional array of nanoparticles as recited in claim
1, wherein each nanoparticle in the two-dimensional array of
nanoparticles is separated from adjacent nanoparticles in the
two-dimensional array of nanoparticles by a distance in a range
from about 1 nanometer to about 100 nanometers.
5. The two-dimensional array of nanoparticles as recited in claim
4, wherein each nanoparticle in the two-dimensional array of
nanoparticles is separated from adjacent nanoparticles in the
two-dimensional array of nanoparticles by a distance in a range
from about 1 nanometer to about 50 nanometers.
6. The two-dimensional array of nanoparticles as recited in claim
5, wherein each nanoparticle in the two-dimensional array of
nanoparticles is separated from adjacent nanoparticles in the
two-dimensional array of nanoparticles by a distance in a range
from about 1 nanometer to about 10 nanometers.
7. The two-dimensional array of nanoparticles as recited in claim
1, wherein the concentration of the second plurality of
nanoparticles in the two-dimensional array of nanoparticles is
below or near a percolation threshold.
8. The two-dimensional array of nanoparticles as recited in claim
1, wherein each nanoparticle of the second plurality of
nanoparticles comprises one of gold, silver, and copper.
9. The two-dimensional array of nanoparticles as recited in claim
1, wherein each nanoparticle of the first plurality of
nanoparticles comprises one of cobalt, silica, and alumina.
10. The two-dimensional array of nanoparticles as recited in claim
1, wherein the first plurality of nanoparticles and the second
plurality of nanoparticles form a monolayer disposed on a surface
of a substrate.
11. The two-dimensional array of nanoparticles as recited in claim
10, wherein the substrate comprises one of silicon, silica,
zirconia, alumina, tin oxides, perovskite oxides, and metals.
12. The two-dimensional array of nanoparticles as recited in claim
1, further comprising a spacer material disposed on each
nanoparticle in the array of nanoparticles.
13. The two-dimensional array of nanoparticles as recited in claim
12, wherein the spacer material separates each nanoparticle in the
array of nanoparticles from adjacent nanoparticles by a selected
distance.
14. The two-dimensional array of nanoparticles as recited in claim
12, wherein the spacer material comprises organic ligands.
15. The two-dimensional array of nanoparticles as recited in claim
12, wherein the spacer material comprises a polymerized
material.
16. The two-dimensional array of nanoparticles as recited in claim
12, wherein the spacer material covers less than the entire surface
area of each nanoparticle in the two-dimensional array of
nanoparticles.
17. A monolayer of nanoparticles for use as a NERS-active structure
comprising: a first plurality of nanoparticles; and a second
plurality of nanoparticles interspersed among the first plurality
of nanoparticles in the monolayer of nanoparticles, the second
plurality of nanoparticles exhibiting a plasmon frequency differing
from any plasmon frequency exhibited by the first plurality of
nanoparticles, the concentration of the second plurality of
nanoparticles in the monolayer of nanoparticles being below or near
a percolation threshold.
18. The monolayer of nanoparticles as recited in claim 17, wherein
the first plurality of nanoparticles have a generally spherical
shape and an average diameter of less than about 100 nanometers,
and the second plurality of nanoparticles have a generally
spherical shape and an average diameter substantially similar to
the average diameter of the first plurality of nanoparticles.
19. The monolayer of nanoparticles as recited in claim 18, wherein
the first plurality of nanoparticles and the second plurality of
nanoparticles have an average diameter within a range from about 1
nanometer to about 25 nanometers.
20. The monolayer of nanoparticles as recited in claim 17, wherein
the second plurality of nanoparticles comprise one of gold, silver,
and copper.
21. The monolayer of nanoparticles as recited in claim 17, wherein
the nanoparticles of the first plurality of nanoparticles comprise
one of cobalt, silica, and alumina.
22. The monolayer of nanoparticles as recited in claim 17, wherein
the first plurality of nanoparticles and the second plurality of
nanoparticles are disposed on a surface of a substrate.
23. The monolayer of nanoparticles as recited in claim 17, wherein
the substrate comprises one of silicon, silica, zirconia, alumina,
tin oxides, perovskite oxides, and metals.
24. The monolayer of nanoparticles as recited in claim 17, further
comprising a spacer material disposed on each nanoparticle in the
monolayer of nanoparticles.
25. The monolayer of nanoparticles as recited in claim 24, wherein
the spacer material separates each nanoparticle in the array of
nanoparticles from adjacent nanoparticles.
26. The monolayer of nanoparticles as recited in claim 25, wherein
the spacer material comprises a polymerized material.
27. A NERS-active structure comprising: a substrate; a monolayer of
nanoparticles disposed on a surface of the substrate comprising: a
first plurality of nanoparticles; and a second plurality of
nanoparticles interspersed among the first plurality of
nanoparticles in the monolayer of nanoparticles, the second
plurality of nanoparticles exhibiting a plasmon frequency differing
from any plasmon frequency exhibited by the first plurality of
nanoparticles, the concentration of the second plurality of
nanoparticles in the monolayer of nanoparticles being below or near
a percolation threshold; and a spacer material partially
surrounding each nanoparticle in the monolayer of nanoparticles,
the spacer material separating each nanoparticle from adjacent
nanoparticles by a selected distance, the spacer material covering
less than the entire surface area of each nanoparticle.
28. The NERS-active structure as recited in claim 27, wherein the
first plurality of nanoparticles have a generally spherical shape
and an average diameter within a range from about 1 nanometer to
about 25 nanometers, and the second plurality of nanoparticles have
a generally spherical shape and an average diameter substantially
similar to the average diameter of the first plurality of
nanoparticles.
29. The NERS-active structure as recited in claim 28, wherein the
second plurality of nanoparticles comprise one of gold, silver, and
copper.
30. The NERS-active structure as recited in claim 29, wherein the
first plurality of nanoparticles comprise one of cobalt, silica,
and alumina.
31. The NERS-active structure as recited in claim 27, wherein each
nanoparticle in the monolayer of nanoparticles is separated from
adjacent nanoparticles in the monolayer of nanoparticles by a
distance in a range from about 1 nanometer to about 50
nanometers.
32. The NERS-active structure as recited in claim 31, wherein each
nanoparticle in the monolayer of nanoparticles is separated from
adjacent nanoparticles in the monolayer of nanoparticles by a
distance in a range from about 1 nanometer to about 10
nanometers.
33. The NERS-active structure as recited in claim 27, wherein the
spacer material comprises a polymerized material.
34. The NERS-active structure as recited in claim 27, wherein the
spacer material comprises organic ligands.
35. The NERS-active structure as recited in claim 27, further
comprising a layer of attachment material disposed on a surface of
the substrate, the layer of attachment material being configured to
adhere to the spacer material partially surrounding each
nanoparticle in the monolayer of nanoparticles.
36. The NERS-active structure as recited in claim 27, wherein a
surface of the substrate is functionalized to adhere to the spacer
material partially surrounding each nanoparticle in the monolayer
of nanoparticles.
37. A method for forming a NERS-active structure comprising:
providing a mixture of nanoparticles, the mixture comprising a
first plurality of nanoparticles comprising a first material and a
second plurality of nanoparticles comprising a second material, the
concentration of the second plurality of nanoparticles in the
mixture being less than the concentration of the first plurality of
nanoparticles, the second plurality of nanoparticles exhibiting a
plasmon frequency differing from any plasmon frequency exhibited by
the first plurality of nanoparticles; coating each nanoparticle in
the mixture of nanoparticles with a spacer material; forming a
monolayer of the nanoparticles on a surface of a fluid; providing a
substrate; transferring the monolayer of nanoparticles from the
surface of the fluid to a surface of the substrate by placing the
substrate in contact with the monolayer of nanoparticles on the
surface of the fluid; and removing at least a portion of the spacer
material.
38. The method for forming a NERS-active structure as recited in
claim 37, wherein removing at least a portion of the spacer
material comprises ion milling a portion of the spacer material
from a portion of the surface of each nanoparticle.
39. The method for forming a NERS-active structure as recited in
claim 37, wherein providing a mixture of nanoparticles comprises
providing a mixture having a first plurality of nanoparticles
formed from a first material and a second plurality of
nanoparticles formed from a second material, the concentration of
the second plurality of nanoparticles in the mixture being below or
near a percolation threshold when the nanoparticles are disposed in
a monolayer.
40. The method for forming a NERS-active structure as recited in
claim 37, wherein coating each nanoparticle in the mixture of
nanoparticles with spacer material comprises coating each
nanoparticle in the mixture of nanoparticles with a polymerizable
material.
41. The method for forming a NERS-active structure as recited in
claim 40, further comprising polymerizing the polymerizable
material.
42. The method for forming a NERS-active structure as recited in
claim 37, wherein coating each nanoparticle in the mixture of
nanoparticles with spacer material comprises coating each
nanoparticle in the mixture of nanoparticles with organic
ligands.
43. The method for forming a NERS-active structure as recited in
claim 37, further comprising providing a layer of attachment
material on a surface of the substrate, the layer of attachment
material being configured to adhere to the spacer material.
44. The method for forming a NERS-active structure as recited in
claim 43, wherein providing a layer of attachment material on a
surface of the substrate comprises functionalizing a surface of the
substrate to promote adherence of the nanoparticles to the
substrate.
45. A NERS system comprising: a NERS-active structure comprising a
monolayer of nanoparticles, the monolayer comprising: a first
plurality of nanoparticles; and a second plurality of nanoparticles
interspersed among the first plurality of nanoparticles in the
monolayer of nanoparticles, the second plurality of nanoparticles
exhibiting a plasmon frequency differing from any plasmon frequency
exhibited by the first plurality of nanoparticles, the
concentration of the second plurality of nanoparticles in the
monolayer of nanoparticles being below or near a percolation
threshold; an excitation radiation source configured to irradiate
the NERS-active structure; and a detector configured to detect
Raman scattered radiation scattered by an analyte located adjacent
the NERS-active structure.
46. The NERS system as recited in claim 45, wherein the first
plurality of nanoparticles have a generally spherical shape and an
average diameter within a range from about 1 nanometer to about 25
nanometers, and the second plurality of nanoparticles have a
generally spherical shape and an average diameter substantially
similar to the average diameter of the first plurality of
nanoparticles.
47. The NERS system as recited in claim 46, wherein the first
plurality of nanoparticles and the second plurality of
nanoparticles have an average diameter within a range from about 1
nanometer to about 25 nanometers.
48. The NERS system as recited in claim 45, wherein the second
plurality of nanoparticles comprise one of gold, silver, and
copper.
49. The NERS system as recited in claim 48, wherein the first
plurality of nanoparticles comprise one of cobalt, silica, and
alumina.
50. The NERS system as recited in claim 45, wherein each
nanoparticle in the monolayer of nanoparticles is separated from
adjacent nanoparticles by a spacer material, the spacer material
covering less than the entire surface area of each nanoparticle in
the monolayer of nanoparticles.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present invention is related to an invention disclosed
in an application filed Mar. 17, 2005 by Kamins et al. entitled AN
ORDERED ARRAY OF NANOPARTICLES FOR EFFICIENT NANOENHANCED RAMAN
SCATTERING DETECTION AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to nano-enhanced Raman
spectroscopy (NERS). More particularly, the invention relates to
NERS-active structures for use as analyte substrates in NERS,
methods for forming NERS-active structures, NERS systems, and
methods for performing NERS using NERS-active structures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Raman spectroscopy is a well-known technique for analyzing
molecules or materials. In conventional Raman spectroscopy, high
intensity monochromatic radiation provided by a radiation source,
such as a laser, is directed onto an analyte (or sample) that is to
be analyzed. A majority of the photons of the incident radiation
are elastically scattered by the analyte. In other words, the
scattered photons have the same energy, and thus the same
wavelength, as the incident photons. However, a very small fraction
of the photons, typically about 1 in 10.sup.7, are inelastically
scattered by the analyte. These inelastically scattered photons
have a different wavelength than the incident photons. This
inelastic scattering of photons is termed "Raman scattering." The
Raman scattered photons can have wavelengths less than, or, more
typically, greater than the wavelength of the incident photons.
[0004] When an incident photon collides with the analyte, energy
can be transferred from the photon to the molecules or atoms of the
analyte, or from the molecules or atoms of the analyte to the
photon. When energy is transferred from the incident photon to the
analyte, the Raman scattered photon will have a lower energy and a
corresponding longer wavelength than the incident photon. These
Raman scattered photons having lower energy than the incident
photons are collectively referred to in Raman spectroscopy as the
"Stokes radiation." A small fraction of the analyte molecules or
atoms can be in an energetically excited state when photons are
incident thereon. When energy is transferred from the analyte to
the incident photon, the Raman scattered photon will have a higher
energy and a corresponding shorter wavelength than the incident
photon. These Raman scattered photons having higher energy than the
incident photons are commonly referred to in Raman spectroscopy as
the "anti-Stokes radiation." The Stokes radiation and the
anti-Stokes radiation collectively are referred to as the Raman
scattered radiation or the Raman signal.
[0005] The Raman scattered radiation is detected by a detector that
typically includes a wavelength-dispersive spectrometer and a
photomultiplier for converting the energy of the impinging photons
into an electrical signal. The characteristics of the electrical
signal are at least partially a function of both the energy of the
Raman scattered photons as evidenced by their wavelength,
frequency, or wave number, and the number of the Raman scattered
photons as evidenced by the intensity of the Raman scattered
radiation. The electrical signal generated by the detector can be
used to produce a spectral graph illustrating the intensity of the
Raman scattered radiation as a function of the wavelength of the
Raman scattered radiation. Analyte molecules and materials generate
unique Raman spectral graphs. The unique Raman spectral graph
obtained by performing Raman spectroscopy can be used for many
purposes including identification of an unknown analyte or
determination of physical and chemical characteristics of a known
analyte.
[0006] Raman scattering of photons is a weak process. As a result,
powerful, costly laser sources typically are used to generate high
intensity incident radiation to increase the intensity of the weak
Raman scattered radiation for detection. Surface-enhanced Raman
spectroscopy (SERS) is a technique that allows for enhancement of
the intensity of the Raman scattered radiation relative to
conventional Raman scattering. In SERS, the analyte molecules
typically are adsorbed onto or placed adjacent to a metal surface
or structure. Interactions between the analyte and the metal
structure cause an increase in the intensity of the Raman scattered
radiation. The mechanism by which the intensity of the Raman
scattered radiation is enhanced is not completely understood. Two
main theories of enhancement mechanisms have been presented in the
literature: electromagnetic enhancement and chemical enhancement.
For further discussion of these enhancement mechanism theories, see
A. M. Michaels, M. Nirmal, & L. E. Brus, "Surface Enhanced
Raman Spectroscopy of Individual Rhodamine 6G Molecules on Large Ag
Nanocrystals," J. Am. Chem. Soc. 121, 9932-39 (1999).
[0007] Several types of metallic structures have been employed in
SERS techniques to enhance the intensity of Raman scattered
radiation that is scattered by analyte molecules adjacent thereto.
Some examples of such structures include electrodes in electrolytic
cells, metal colloid solutions, and metal substrates, such as a
roughened metal surface or metal "islands" formed on a substrate.
For example, it has been shown that adsorbing analyte molecules
onto or near a specially roughened metal surface made from gold or
silver can enhance the effective Raman scattering intensity by
factors of between 10.sup.3 and 10.sup.6, when averaged over the
illuminated area of the sample.
[0008] Recently, SERS has been performed employing randomly
oriented nanometer-scale metallic needles and particles, as opposed
to a simple roughened metallic surface. This process will be
referred to hereinafter as nano-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (NERS).
The intensity of the Raman scattered photons from a molecule
adsorbed on such a metal surface can be increased by factors as
high as 10.sup.16. At this level of sensitivity, NERS has been used
to detect single molecules. Detecting single molecules with high
sensitivity and molecular specificity is of great interest in the
fields of chemistry, biology, medicine, pharmacology, and
environmental science. However, it is unknown what configurations,
including size, shape and spacing, of metallic particles will
enhance the intensity of Raman scattered radiation most
effectively.
[0009] Accordingly, there is a need for NERS substrates that
include metallic particles, the size, separation, and local
configuration of which can be controlled to optimize the
enhancement of the intensity of Raman scattered radiation by the
NERS analyte substrate.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In one aspect, the present invention includes a
two-dimensional array of nanoparticles usable for enhancing Raman
scattered radiation in NERS. The array of nanoparticles includes a
first plurality of nanoparticles and a second plurality of
nanoparticles. The second plurality of nanoparticles have a size
and shape substantially similar to the size and shape of the first
plurality of nanoparticles. The second plurality of nanoparticles
exhibits a plasmon frequency that differs from any plasmon
frequency exhibited by the first plurality of nanoparticles. The
nanoparticles of the second plurality of nanoparticles are
interspersed among the nanoparticles of the first plurality of
nanoparticles in the two-dimensional array of nanoparticles.
[0011] In another aspect, the present invention includes a
monolayer of nanoparticles for use as a NERS-active structure. The
monolayer of nanoparticles includes a first plurality of
nanoparticles and a second plurality of nanoparticles. The second
plurality of nanoparticles is interspersed among the first
plurality of nanoparticles. The second plurality of nanoparticles
exhibits a plasmon frequency that differs from any plasmon
frequency that is exhibited by the first plurality of
nanoparticles, if any. The concentration of the second plurality of
nanoparticles in the monolayer of nanoparticles is below or near a
percolation threshold.
[0012] In another aspect, the present invention includes a
NERS-active structure that includes a substrate, a monolayer of
nanoparticles disposed on a surface of the substrate, and a spacer
material partially surrounding each nanoparticle in the monolayer
of nanoparticles. The monolayer of nanoparticles includes a first
plurality of nanoparticles and a second plurality of nanoparticles.
The second plurality of nanoparticles is interspersed among the
first plurality of nanoparticles. The second plurality of
nanoparticles exhibits a plasmon frequency that differs from any
plasmon frequency that is exhibited by the first plurality of
nanoparticles, if any. The concentration of the second plurality of
nanoparticles in the monolayer of nanoparticles is below or near a
percolation threshold. The spacer material separates each
nanoparticle from adjacent nanoparticles by a selected distance.
The spacer material covers less than the entire surface area of
each nanoparticle.
[0013] In yet another aspect, the present invention includes a NERS
system that includes such a NERS-active structure. The NERS system
further includes an excitation radiation source configured to
irradiate the NERS-active structure and a detector configured to
receive Raman scattered radiation scattered by an analyte located
adjacent to the NERS-active structure.
[0014] In another aspect, the present invention includes a method
for forming a NERS-active structure. The method includes providing
a mixture of nanoparticles including a first plurality of
nanoparticles of a first material and a second plurality of
nanoparticles of a second material. The concentration of the second
plurality of nanoparticles in the mixture is less than the
concentration of the first plurality of nanoparticles. The second
plurality of nanoparticles exhibits a plasmon frequency that
differs from any plasmon frequency that is exhibited by the first
plurality of nanoparticles, if any. Each nanoparticle in the
mixture of nanoparticles is coated with a spacer material. A
monolayer of the nanoparticles is formed on a surface of a fluid
and the monolayer is transferred from the surface of the fluid to a
surface of the substrate by placing the substrate in contact with
the monolayer of nanoparticles on the surface of the fluid. At
least a portion of the spacer material is removed.
[0015] The features, advantages, and alternative aspects of the
present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from
a consideration of the following detailed description taken in
combination with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] While the specification concludes with claims particularly
pointing out and distinctly claiming that which is regarded as the
present invention, the advantages of this invention can be more
readily ascertained from the following description of the invention
when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a
NERS-active structure according to the invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the NERS-active
structure of FIG. 1 taken along section line 2-2 therein;
[0019] FIGS. 3-7 illustrate an exemplary method for forming the
NERS-active structure of FIGS. 1-2; and
[0020] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary NERS system
for performing nano-enhanced Raman spectroscopy using a NERS-active
structure according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The present invention relates to nano-enhanced Raman
spectroscopy (NERS). More particularly, the invention relates to
NERS-active structures for use as analyte substrates in NERS,
methods for forming NERS-active structures, NERS systems, and
methods for performing NERS using NERS-active structures.
[0022] The term "analyte" as used herein means any molecule,
molecules, material, substance, or matter that is to be analyzed by
NERS.
[0023] The term "NERS-active structure" as used herein means a
structure that is capable of increasing the number of Raman
scattered photons that are scattered by an analyte when the analyte
is located adjacent to the structure and the analyte and structure
are subjected to electromagnetic radiation.
[0024] The term "NERS-active material" as used herein means a
material that, when formed into appropriate geometries or
configurations, is capable of increasing the number of Raman
scattered photons that are scattered by an analyte when the analyte
is located adjacent the material, and the analyte and material are
subjected to electromagnetic radiation. NERS-active materials can
be used to form NERS-active structures.
[0025] The term "nanoparticle" as used herein means a particle
having cross-sectional dimensions of less than about 100
nanometers. Examples of nanoparticles include, but are not limited
to, nanodots, nanowires, nanocolumns, and nanospheres.
[0026] The term "percolation threshold" as used herein means the
critical fraction of nanoparticle sites in an array of possible
nanoparticle sites that must be filled with nanoparticles to create
a continuous path of adjacent nanoparticles extending from one side
of a structure to another when the nanoparticle sites are filled in
a random manner.
[0027] The term "ligand" as used herein means an atom, molecule,
ion or functional group that may be attached to one or more
nanoparticles or to a substrate.
[0028] The term "polymerize" as used herein means to form a
generally solid structure from a liquid or gel by forming bonds
between individual molecules in the liquid or gel. The term
"polymerize" as used herein includes, for example, the formation of
a network structure by forming cross-linking bonds between
individual molecules, the formation of long, repeating polymer
chains from small monomeric units or mers, and the formation of
cross-linking bonds between long, repeating polymer chains.
[0029] The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be
actual views of any particular NERS-active structure, but are
merely idealized representations which are employed to describe the
present invention. Additionally, elements common between figures
retain the same numerical designation.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary NERS-active
structure 10 that embodies teachings of the present invention. The
NERS-active structure 10 includes a two-dimensional array of
nanoparticles disposed on a surface of a substrate 12. The
two-dimensional array of nanoparticles is a binary array that
includes a first plurality of inactive nanoparticles 14 and a
second plurality of metallic active nanoparticles 16. The first
plurality of inactive nanoparticles 14 are shown by shading with
dots, while the second plurality of metallic active nanoparticles
16 are shown by shading with cross-hatching. The metallic active
nanoparticles 16 are interspersed among the inactive nanoparticles
14. The plurality of inactive nanoparticles 14 also can be
metallic. However, the active nanoparticles 16 exhibit a plasmon
resonance frequency differing from any plasmon resonance frequency
exhibited by the inactive nanoparticles 14 and should not interact
in other ways with plasmons from inactive nanoparticles 14.
[0031] The nanoparticles 14, 16 can have a generally spherical
shape and a diameter of less than about 100 nanometers. More
particularly, the nanoparticles 14,16 can have a diameter in a
range from about 1 nanometer to about 25 nanometers, or even a
range from about 1 nanometer to about 5 nanometers.
[0032] The number of metallic active nanoparticles 16 in the
two-dimensional array of nanoparticles is below or near the
percolation threshold. Because the number of metallic active
nanoparticles 16 is below or near the percolation threshold,
isolated nanoparticles 16, isolated pairs such as pair 18, isolated
triplets such as triplet 20, isolated quadruplets such as
quadruplet 22, etc., of metallic active nanoparticles 16 are
randomly provided in the two-dimensional array of nanoparticles 14,
16. These structures formed by metallic active nanoparticles 16 may
be surrounded by inactive nanoparticles 14 that separate the
structures from other structures formed by metallic active
nanoparticles 16.
[0033] Nanoparticles 14,16 in the two-dimensional array are
separated from adjacent nanoparticles 14,16 in the two-dimensional
array by a distance X. The distance X can be in a range from about
1 nanometer to about 100 nanometers. More particularly, the
distance X can be in a range from about 1 nanometer to about 50
nanometers, or even in a range from about 1 nanometer to about 10
nanometers.
[0034] Each metallic active nanoparticle 16 can be formed from, for
example, gold, silver, copper, or any other NERS-active material.
Each inactive nanoparticle 14 can be formed from, for example,
cobalt, silica, alumina, or any other material that either does not
exhibit a plasmon resonance frequency, that exhibits a plasmon
resonance frequency at a frequency differing from the plasmon
resonance frequency exhibited by the metallic active nanoparticles
16, or that otherwise does not interact with plasmons from the
metallic active nanoparticles. This allows isolated surface plasmon
modes to be generated in the regions of the metallic active
nanoparticles 16 when the NERS-active structure 10 is subjected to
electromagnetic radiation at a particular frequency or frequencies
without generating interacting surface plasmon modes in the regions
of the inactive nanoparticles 14.
[0035] The substrate 12 can be formed from, for example, silicon,
silica, zirconia, alumina, tin oxides, perovskite oxides, and
selected metals. The material used to form the substrate 12 should
not exhibit a plasmon resonance frequency, or should exhibit a
plasmon resonance frequency differing from the plasmon resonance
frequency exhibited by the active nanoparticles 16. In this
configuration, isolated surface plasmon modes may be generated in
the regions of the metallic active nanoparticles 16 when the
NERS-active structure 10 is subjected to electromagnetic radiation
at a particular frequency or frequencies without generating
interacting surface plasmon modes in the substrate 12.
[0036] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the NERS-active
structure 10 of FIG. 1 taken along section line 2-2 therein. As
seen in FIG. 2, the nanoparticles 14, 16 of the two-dimensional
array of nanoparticles may be at least partially covered by a
spacer material 26 that separates each nanoparticle 14, 16 from
adjacent nanoparticles. The spacer material 26 may cover less than
the entire surface area of each nanoparticle 14,16 in the
two-dimensional array of nanoparticles 14,16 to allow an analyte to
be adsorbed onto a portion of the surface area of the active
nanoparticles 16. The spacer material 26 may cover approximately
the lower half of the surface area of each of the nanoparticles
14,16, leaving the top halves thereof exposed. In one particular
embodiment of the invention, the spacer material 26 may include
organic ligand molecules. In another embodiment of the invention,
the spacer material 26 may include a polymerized material.
Furthermore, the spacer material 26 may bind each nanoparticle 14,
16 in the two-dimensional array to the substrate 12, to adjacent
nanoparticles 14,16, orto both the substrate 12 and adjacent
nanoparticles 14,16.
[0037] Isolated pairs of nanoparticles 16 such as pair 18, isolated
triplets such as triplet 20, and isolated quadruplets such as
quadruplet 22 of NERS-active structure 10 shown in FIGS. 1-2
provide regions on the surface of the NERS-active structure 10 that
vary in local configuration and allow generation of plasmon modes
having different characteristics. The best local configuration of
active nanoparticles 16 for enhancing the Raman signal typically
differs for different analytes. In addition, the best local
configuration of active nanoparticles 16 for a particular analyte
typically is not known beforehand. When an analyte is adsorbed on
the surface of NERS-active structure 10 and enhanced Raman
spectroscopy is performed, the best local configuration of active
nanoparticles 16 for enhancing the Raman signal for that particular
analyte can be identified by determining which regions on the
surface of the NERS-active structure 10 enhance the Raman
scattering in the most efficient manner. The intensity of the Raman
scattered radiation will be strongest at these regions.
[0038] As seen in FIG. 2, the two-dimensional array of
nanoparticles 14, 16 of NERS-active structure 10 may form a
monolayer of nanoparticles on the surface of the substrate 12.
[0039] FIGS. 3-7 illustrate an exemplary method for forming the
NERS-active structure 10 shown in FIGS. 1-2 that incorporates
teachings of the present invention. The method can include use of
Langmuir-Blodgett type techniques and Langmuir-Schaefer type
techniques to form the monolayer of nanoparticles 14,16 on the
surface of the substrate 12.
[0040] Commercially available inactive nanoparticles 14 and
metallic active nanoparticles 16 can be provided, and mixed
together to form a mixture of nanoparticles. The concentration of
metallic active nanoparticles 16 can be sufficiently less than the
concentration of inactive nanoparticles 14 in the mixture, such
that when the mixture of nanoparticles 14,16 forms a
two-dimensional monolayer array of nanoparticles, the concentration
of metallic active nanoparticles 16 in the two-dimensional array is
below or near the percolation threshold.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the nanoparticles 14,16 may be coated
with the spacer material 26 or with precursor material 26' that
will be used to form the spacer material 26 and provided on the
surface of a fluid to form a Langmuir film. For example, the
nanoparticles 14,16 may be coated with organic ligand molecules
that include a hydrophobic portion, a first functional group, and a
second functional group. The hydrophobic portion may include, for
example, an elongated alkyl chain. The first functional group may
be used to attach the molecules of the spacer material 26 or
precursor materials 26' to the nanoparticles 14,16 and may include,
for example, a thiol group. The second functional group may
include, for example, a polymerizable vinyl group. The
nanoparticles 14, 16 alternatively may be coated with other
molecules, such as, for example, alkane thiol HS(CH.sub.2)n chains
with sulfur groups on one end, fluorophores, phosphate surfactants,
and dendrimers. Many other molecules and functional groups are
known in the art and can be used to coat the nanoparticles 14,16.
Furthermore, the spacer material 26 or precursor materials 26' may
or may not be polymerizable.
[0042] A container 32, such as a commercially available Langmuir
film trough, can be provided and filled with a fluid, such as
water. Suitable Langmuir film troughs are sold by, for example, KSV
Instruments of Helsinki, Finland. The coated nanoparticles 14,16
can be dissolved in a solvent and dispersed on the surface of the
fluid in the container 32 with, for example, a microsyringe. The
organic solvent can be allowed to evaporate, leaving behind the
coated nanoparticles 14, 16 on the surface of the fluid. If the
coated particles 14,16 are coated with spacer material 26 or
precursor material 26' that include molecules having a hydrophobic
portion thereof, the coated particles 14,16 may form a floating
monolayer 30 of nanoparticles 14,16 on the surface of the fluid, as
illustrated in FIG. 3. Such floating monolayers 30 are often
referred to as Langmuir films. The container 32 can include a
Wilhelmy plate electrobalance for measuring the surface pressure of
the floating monolayer of nanoparticles 14,16, and can also include
movable barriers for reducing the surface area available to the
floating monolayer 30 of nanoparticles 14,16 on the surface of the
fluid.
[0043] A substrate 12 can be provided and placed in contact with
the monolayer 30 of coated nanoparticles 14, 16 (such as, e.g., by
lowering substrate 12 into floating monolayer 30 as indicated by
arrow 34), as shown in FIG. 4. This process transfers the floating
monolayer of coated nanoparticles 14, 16 to the surface of the
substrate 12, thereby forming a two-dimensional array of
nanoparticles 14, 16 thereon. Alternatively, in another embodiment
(not shown), a substrate 12 can be passed or pulled through the
monolayer of coated nanoparticles 14,16. In other words, the
monolayer of coated nanoparticles 14,16 may be transferred to the
substrate 12 using either Langmuir Blodgeft type techniques or
Langmuir-Schaefer type techniques. Movable barriers can be used to
compress the floating monolayer of inactive and active
nanoparticles 14,16 in the container 32 while the substrate is put
in contact with the floating monolayer to control the ordering in
the monolayer. The distance X (shown in FIG. 1) that separates
nanoparticles 14,16 from adjacent nanoparticles 14, 16 may be
controlled by controlling the length or size of the molecules of
the spacer material 26 or the precursor material 26' surrounding
the nanoparticles 14, 16. In this manner, the spacer material 26
may be used to separate each nanoparticle 14,16 in the array of
nanoparticles from adjacent nanoparticles 14,16 by a selected
distance X.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, a layer of attachment material 13 may be
provided on or formed on a surface of the substrate 12. The layer
of attachment material 13 may be used to attach the nanoparticles
14,16 to the substrate 12. For example, the layer of attachment
material 13 may be formed by chemically functionalizing the surface
of the substrate 12 with functional groups that will adhere to the
molecules of the spacer material 26 or the precursor material 26'.
For example, the surface of the substrate 12 may be functionalized
by providing Si--O--H groups on a surface of the substrate 12.
Alternatively, material that will adhere to, polymerize with, or
otherwise chemically bind to the spacer material 26 or the
precursor material 26' coating the nanoparticles 14,16 may be
deposited on a surface of the substrate 12 to form the layer of
attachment material 13. In this manner, the layer of attachment
material 13 may adhere to and immobilize the nanoparticles 14,16 on
a surface of the substrate 12. Furthermore, the layer of attachment
Material 13 may include the same material as the spacer material 26
or the precursor material 26'.
[0045] In one particular embodiment of the invention, the
two-dimensional array of nanoparticles 14,16 may be coated with a
precursor material 26' that will be used to form the spacer
material 26, and the coated nanoparticles 14,16 may be provided on
the surface of a fluid to form a Langmuir film. The precursor
material 26' and the layer of attachment material 13 each may
include polymerizable functional groups, which may be polymerized
to stabilize the two-dimensional array of nanoparticles 14,16 on
the surface of the substrate 12. The precursor material 26' and the
layer of attachment material 13 may be polymerized by processes
specific to the polymerizable functional groups of the molecules of
the precursor material 26' and the layer of attachment material
13.
[0046] For example, the precursor material 26' and the layer of
attachment material 13 may be subjected to radiation 40 (as
illustrated in FIG. 5), which may cause the polymerizable
functional groups of the spacer material 26 and the layer of
attachment material 13 to polymerize and bind to adjacent
molecules. As shown in FIG. 6, in this manner, a monolithic layer
of spacer material 26 may be formed from the precursor material 26'
coating each nanoparticle 14,16 and the layer of attachment
material 13. In FIG. 6, the portion of the spacer material 26 that
has been formed primarily from the precursor material 26' is shown
above the imaginary dividing line 44, while the portion of the
spacer material 26 that has been formed primarily from the layer of
attachment material 13 is shown below the imaginary dividing line
44. This monolithic layer of spacer material 26 may bind the
nanoparticles 14,16 to adjacent nanoparticles 14,16 and to the
substrate 12, thereby providing a solid, stable and durable
structure for use as a NERS-active substrate.
[0047] If radiation 40 will be used to polymerize or cross-link the
spacer material 26 and the layer of attachment material 13, the
substrate 12 may be transparent to the particular wavelengths of
radiation used to allow the radiation to impinge on the spacer
material 26 and the layer of attachment material 13 through the
bottom of the substrate 12. Alternatively, the spacer material 26
may include functional groups that can be bound by, for example,
the addition of heat or by the addition of chemical reagents.
[0048] In another embodiment, the spacer material 26 may include
thermoplastic material, which may be subjected to heat in order to
at least partially melt the thermoplastic material coating each
nanoparticle 14,16. Upon cooling and re-solidification of the
thermoplastic material, the thermoplastic material may stabilize
the two-dimensional array of nanoparticles 14, 16 on the surface of
the substrate 12.
[0049] A portion of the spacer material 26 can be removed to expose
at least a portion of the surface of the nanoparticles 14,16. The
portion of the spacer material 26 can be removed by, for example,
an ion milling process in which high energy ions 42 are directed
onto the surface of the spacer material 26, as shown in FIG. 6.
Alternatively, a portion of the spacer material 26 can be removed
by, for example, a selective wet or dry (e.g., plasma) chemical
etch that removes the spacer material 26 without reacting with or
otherwise affecting the nanoparticles 14, 16. Such techniques are
known in the art.
[0050] Removing a portion of the spacer material 26 produces the
NERS-active structure 10 shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is substantially
similar to FIG. 2. However, an analyte 46 upon which it is desired
to perform NERS is shown disposed in the region between a first
metallic active nanoparticle 16A and a second metallic active
nanoparticle 16B. The first metallic active nanoparticle 16A and
the second metallic active nanoparticle 16B together form the
isolated pair 18 of FIG. 1. When the NERS-active structure 10 is
subjected to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency that
corresponds to the plasmon resonance frequency exhibited by the
metallic active nanoparticles 16, large gradients in the electric
field can be produced at the region between the first active
metallic nanoparticle 16A and the second active metallic
nanoparticle 16B of isolated pair 18. These gradients have been
shown to enhance the Raman scattering of photons by an analyte when
the analyte is disposed in and subjected to these gradients in the
electromagnetic fields. Similar gradients in the electric field
also may be generated in the regions of isolated triplets such as
triplet 20, isolated quadruplets such as quadruplet 22, etc.
[0051] NERS-active structures that embody teachings of the present
invention such as the NERS-active structure 10 of FIGS. 1-2 can be
used in NERS systems to perform NERS on an analyte. An exemplary
NERS system 50 that embodies teachings of the present invention is
illustrated schematically in FIG. 8. The NERS system 50 can include
a NERS-active structure embodying teachings of the invention, such
as, for example, the NERS-active structure 10 of FIGS. 1-2. The
NERS system 50 can include a sample or analyte stage 52 for holding
the NERS-active structure 10 and an analyte, an excitation
radiation source 54 for providing excitation radiation 64, and a
detector 56 for detecting Raman scattered radiation 66. The NERS
system 50 can also include various optical components 60 such as,
for example, lenses and filters positioned between the excitation
radiation source 54 and the analyte stage 52 and between the
analyte stage 52 and the detector 56.
[0052] The excitation radiation source 54 can include any suitable
source for emitting radiation at the desired wavelength, and can be
capable of emitting a tunable wavelength of radiation. For example,
commercially available semiconductor lasers, helium-neon lasers,
carbon dioxide lasers, radiation-emitting diodes, incandescent
lamps, and many other known radiation-emitting sources can be used
as the excitation radiation source 54. The wavelengths that are
emitted by the excitation radiation source 54 can include a
suitable wavelength for performing NERS on the analyte. An
exemplary range of wavelengths that can be emitted by the
excitation radiation source 54 includes wavelengths between about
350 nanometers and about 1000 nanometers.
[0053] The detector 56 receives and detects the Raman scattered
radiation 66 generated by Raman scattered photons that are
scattered by the analyte. The detector 56 includes a device for
determining the wavelength of the Raman scattered radiation 66 such
as, for example, a monochromator, and a device for determining the
intensity of the Raman scattered radiation 66 such as, for example,
a photomultiplier. Typically, the Raman scattered radiation 66 is
scattered in all directions relative to the analyte stage 52. Thus,
the position of the detector 56 relative to the analyte stage 52 is
not particularly important. However, the detector 56 can be
positioned at, for example, an angle of 90.degree. relative to the
direction of the incident excitation radiation 64 to minimize the
intensity of any excitation radiation 64 that is incident on the
detector 56.
[0054] Optical components 60 positioned between the source 54 and
the analyte stage 52 can be used to collimate, filter, or focus the
excitation radiation 64 before the excitation radiation 54 impinges
on the analyte stage 52 and the NERS-active structure 10. Optical
components 60 positioned between the analyte stage 52 and the
detector 56 can be used to collimate, filter, or focus the Raman
scattered radiation 66. For example, a filter or a plurality of
filters can be employed to prevent radiation at wavelengths
corresponding to the excitation radiation 64 from impinging on the
detector 56, thus allowing only the Raman scattered radiation 66 to
be received by the detector 56.
[0055] To perform NERS using the NERS system 50, an analyte can be
provided adjacent the NERS-active structure 10, and particularly
adjacent the metallic active nanoparticles 16. The NERS-active
structure 10 and the analyte are then irradiated with excitation
radiation 64 provided by the source 54. Raman scattered radiation
66 scattered by the analyte is detected by the detector 56. The
NERS-active structure 10 of the analyte stage 52 may enhance the
intensity of the Raman scattered radiation that is scattered by the
analyte as described previously herein.
[0056] The wavelengths and corresponding intensity of the Raman
scattered radiation 66 can be determined and used to identify and
provide information about the analyte.
[0057] The methods disclosed herein allow for the formation of
NERS-active structures that include metallic active nanoparticles
having well controlled size, spacing, and density. These structures
allow for improved nano-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and can be
employed as analyte substrates that can significantly enhance the
intensity of Raman scattered radiation scattered by an analyte
disposed adjacent thereto. The performance of nanoscale
electronics, optoelectronics, molecular sensors, and other devices
employing the Raman effect can be improved by using the NERS-active
structures disclosed herein.
[0058] Although the foregoing description contains many specifics,
these are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present
invention, but merely as providing certain exemplary embodiments.
Similarly, other embodiments of the invention can be devised which
do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated and limited
only by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather
than by the foregoing description. All additions, deletions, and
modifications to the invention, as disclosed herein, which fall
within the meaning and scope of the claims, are encompassed by the
present invention.
* * * * *