Using Raman Microscopy to Monitor the Surface Modifications of Disordered Array of Gold (Au) Covered Silicon Nanowires for SERS Biosensing
The combination of a microscope and a Raman spectrometer provides insights to a multi-stepped surface modification process to fabricate a biosensor for avidin detection using biotin-modified, gold-coated silicon nanowires (Au/SiNWs) deposited on a glass substrate. It is demonstrated that the silicon nanowires morphology enhances light absorption in the overlaying Au layer. In addition, the Raman spectra unequivocally confirmed that the composite structure (SiNWs + Au + Cysteamine + Biotin) can effectively bind the target molecule avidin through specific receptor-ligand interactions.