Additional amplifications of SERS via an optofluidic CD-based platform

In this paper, signal amplifications of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) are realized by an optofluidic compact disc (CD)-based preconcentration method for effective label-free environmental and biomolecular detections. The preconcentration of target molecules is accomplished through the accumulation of adsorbed molecules on SERS-active sites by repeating a ‘filling–drying’ cycle of the assay solution in the optofluidic CD platform. After 30 cycles, the clear and high SERS signal of rhodamine 6G of 1 nM is readily detected. In addition to the preconcentration-based signal amplification by the optofluidic SERS system on the CD platform, we introduce a controlled precipitation of gold nanoparticles by CuSO₄ for SERS substrates. This method provides high-throughput, high-sensitive and large-area uniform SERS substrates on the optofluidic CD platform. The uniform SERS signals from different positions in spots of 3 mm² on the different CDs gives us confidence in the reliability and stability of our SERS substrates.