Plasmonics-active gold nanostars for chemical and biological sensing using SERS detection

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) provides a non-destructive sensing method with high sensitivity and multiplex detection capability since SERS takes advantage of high enhancement from surface plasmon resonance and unique “fingerprint” spectral signature using Raman spectroscopy. Our group has developed a unique plasmonics-active nanoparticle, gold nanostars, with tunable plasmonics in near-infrared (NIR) “tissue optical window” without using toxic surfactant. We present their applications for chemical and biological sensing with SERS method as well as theoretical studies to investigate and confirm experimentally measured SERS results.