title: Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering from Au-Nanorod Arrays with Sub-5-nm Gaps Stuck Out of an AAO Template.
abstract: Ordered arrays of Au-nanorod-tips protruding from an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template are reported as reproducible and active surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates. The Au-nanorods were grown in the nanochannels of the AAO template by use of alternative current electrodeposition, then the template was strengthened using a polymer, and finally the template bottom side was selectively etched to expose the Au-nanorod tips. By controlling the thinning of the AAO-porewalls, the inter-nanorod-gaps were tuned to ~5 nm, forming dense and uniform nano-gap induced "hot spots" among the adjacent Au-nanorod tips. As a result, the electromagnetic field of the Au-nanorod-tip arrays was uniformly enhanced, and demonstrated high SERS sensitivity with good signal reproducibility. The Au-nanorod-tips have the potential to be used in SERS-based applications in order to rapidly detect trace pollutants in the environment.
authors.forename: Zhulin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Guowen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chuhong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Fangming
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Xiaoye
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Xiujuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang