Synthesis of silver nano-fir-twigs and application to single molecules detection

Abstract

We process silver nanostructures via electrodeposition into porous aluminium oxide templates. The degree of pore ordering determines the morphology of the silver nanostructure from smooth to branched nanowires. Nanostructures reminiscent of fir-twigs form in templates with large and low-ordered pores. We demonstrate the usefulness of these nano-fir-twigs as SERS substrates using a 10⁻¹⁵ M R6G dye solution. The enhancement factor of 10¹¹ obtained should allow single molecules to be detected.