title: Flow-based autocorrelation studies for the detection and investigation of single-particle surface-enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopic events.
abstract: We report on the characterization and detection of single metallic nanoparticles using a combination of correlation spectroscopy and surface-enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy (SERRS). Minimizing the number of independent characterization steps is critical to efficiently perform such an analysis. In this article, we improve upon conventional diffusion-limited approaches by implementing a flow-based system with high temporal resolution detection. The benefits of flow over diffusion measurements allow for a higher throughput of detected events resulting in shorter analysis times. The nanoparticles are sized using their rotational diffusion time calculated with a modified autocorrelation function. Experiments are performed using Au nanoparticles labeled with the reporter molecule malachite green isothiocyanate on a custom-built Raman spectrometer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Cecchini
authors.forename: Margarita A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Stapountzi
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: McComb
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Albrecht
authors.forename: Joshua B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Edel