Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy on localized silver nanoparticle-decorated porous silicon substrate

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy is a rapid and non-destructive optical detection method that has been applied in various applications. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) substrate-based silicon nanostructures have been widely used as SERS substrates due to their high detection sensitivity, repeatability, and reusability. This paper uses a simple and low-cost electroless etching deposition process to generate silver nanoparticle-decorated porous silicon (Ag-PS) substrates. We propose a contact deposition process to generate localized Ag-PS (LocAg-PS) for SERS analysis. Due to the hydrophilic LocAg-PS pad on the hydrophobic PS background, the sample droplets self-aligned to the predefined LocAg-PS pads and condensed into a higher local concentration for high sensitivity SERS detection without extensive search for the hot spot. The effects of critical fabrication parameters and SERS analysis on the LocAg-PS surface were evaluated.