Superhydrophobic surface enhanced Raman scattering sensing using Janus particle arrays realized by site-specific electrochemical growth

Abstract

Site-specific electrochemical deposition is used to prepare polystyrene (PS)–Ag Janus particle arrays with superhydrophobic properties. Analyte molecules can be significantly enriched using the superhydrophobic properties of the PS–Ag Janus particle array before SERS detection, enabling the extremely sensitive detection of molecules in a highly diluted solution (e.g., femtomolar level). The superhydrophobic surface enhanced Raman scattering sensing concept described here is of critical significance in biosensing and bioanalysis. Most importantly, the site-specific electrochemical growth method we developed here is a versatile approach that can be used to prepare Janus particle arrays with different properties for various applications.