Highly efficient photo-induced surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy from ZnO/Au nanorods

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has been widely applied as a useful tool to analyze environmental pollutants, explosives and biomolecules at low concentrations. In recent years, a new approach to further improve sensitivity of SERS measurement is Photo Induced Enhanced Raman scattering (PIERS), where samples are excited by appropriate light before or during Raman measurement. In this study, we successfully fabricated SERS substrates with good sensitivity based on ZnO/Au nanorods by facile galvanic assisted hydrothermal and sputtering techniques. Raman signal can also be further improved conveniently and efficiently by in situ UV-excitation compared with traditional SERS measurement. This approach provides a robust, fast technique for detection of substances at low concentration.