Heat-Induced Fragmentation and Adhesive Behaviour of Gold Nanowires for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrates

Abstract

This study explores a novel approach to surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate fabrication through the heat-induced fragmentation of gold nanowires (Au NWs) and its impact on gold nanoparticle adhesion/static friction using atomic force microscopy manipulations. Controlled heating experiments and scanning electron microscopy measurements reveal significant structural transformations, with NWs transitioning into nanospheres or nanorods in a patterned fashion at elevated temperatures. These morphological changes lead to enhanced Raman signals, particularly demonstrated in the case of Rhodamine B molecules. The results underscore the critical role of NW shape modifications in augmenting the SERS effect, shedding light on a cost-effective and reliable method for producing SERS substrates. © 2024 by the authors. This is an open access article Trausa, A.; Tipaldi, C.F.; Ignatane, L.; Polyakov, B.; Oras, S.; Butanovs, E.; Vanags, E.; Smits, K. Heat-Induced Fragmentation and Adhesive Behaviour of Gold Nanowires for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrates. ChemEngineering 2024, 8, 15. https://doi.org/10.3390/chemengineering8010015 published under the CC BY 4.0 licence.