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Control of enhanced Raman scattering using a DNA-based assembly process of dye-coded nanoparticles

Nature Nanotechnology volume 3, pages 548–551 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Enhanced Raman scattering from metal surfaces has been investigated for over 30 years1. Silver surfaces are known to produce a large effect, and this can be maximized by producing a roughened surface, which can be achieved by the aggregation of silver nanoparticles2,3,4. However, an approach to control this aggregation, in particular through the interaction of biological molecules such as DNA, has not been reported. Here we show the selective turning on of the surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering5 effect on dye-coded, DNA-functionalized, silver nanoparticles through a target-dependent, sequence-specific DNA hybridization assembly that exploits the electromagnetic enhancement mechanism for the scattering. Dye-coded nanoparticles that do not undergo hybridization experience no enhancement and hence do not give surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering. This is due to the massive difference in enhancement from nanoparticle assemblies compared with individual nanoparticles. The electromagnetic enhancement is the dominant effect and, coupled with an understanding of the surface chemistry, allows surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering nanosensors to be designed based on a natural biological recognition process.

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Figure 1: Schematic representation of the synthesis of Raman dye-functionalized DNA silver nanoparticle conjugates.
Figure 2: UV-vis analysis of dye-coded DNA-functionalized silver nanoparticles.
Figure 3: SERRS spectra of DNA-functionalized Raman dye-coded silver nanoparticles.
Figure 4: Selective enhancement of specific Raman signals through DNA hybridization.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Analytical Trust Fund of the Royal Society of Chemistry for the award of the Analytical Grand Prix to D.G.

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  1. Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Centre for Molecular Nanometrology, WestCHEM, University of Strathclyde, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G1 1XL, UK

    Duncan Graham, David G. Thompson, W. Ewen Smith & Karen Faulds

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  1. Duncan Graham
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  2. David G. Thompson
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  3. W. Ewen Smith
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  4. Karen Faulds
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Contributions

All authors discussed the results and commented on the manuscript. D.G.T. performed all the experiments.

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Correspondence to Duncan Graham.

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Graham, D., Thompson, D., Smith, W. et al. Control of enhanced Raman scattering using a DNA-based assembly process of dye-coded nanoparticles. Nature Nanotech 3, 548–551 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2008.189

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