title: Quantitative SERS using the sequestration of small molecules inside precise plasmonic nanoconstructs.
abstract: We show how the macrocyclic host, cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]), creates precise subnanometer junctions between gold nanoparticles while its cavity simultaneously traps small molecules; this enables their reproducible surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) detection. Explicit shifts in the SERS frequencies of CB[8] on complexation with guest molecules provides a direct strategy for absolute quantification of a range of molecules down to 10(-11) M levels. This provides a new analytical paradigm for quantitative SERS of small molecules.
authors.affiliation: Melville Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Setu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kasera
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Biedermann
authors.forename: Jeremy J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Baumberg
authors.forename: Oren A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Scherman
authors.forename: Sumeet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mahajan
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry; D004566:Electrodes; D004583:Electrons; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods*; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance / Q000379:methods; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids; D006046:Gold