Hierarchical heterostructure of Ag-nanoparticle decorated fullerene nanorods (Ag-FNRs) as an effective single particle freestanding SERS substrate.

A hierarchical heterostructure composed of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs: average diameter ∼10 nm) on fullerene nanorods (FNRs: average length ∼11 μm and average diameter ∼200 nm) was fabricated using a simple solution route. It was used as an effective single particle freestanding surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate for the detection of target molecules (Rhodamine 6G: R6G). FNRs were formed ultra-rapidly (formation process completed in a few seconds) at a liquid-liquid interface of methanol and C60/mesitylene solution then Ag-NPs were grown directly on the surfaces of the FNRs by treatment with a solution of silver nitrate in ethanol. This unique hierarchical heterostructure allows efficient adsorption of target molecules also acting as an effective SERS substrate capable of detecting the adsorbed R6G molecules in the nanomolar concentration range. In this study, SERS spectra are acquired on an isolated single Ag-FNR for the detection of the absorbed molecule rather than from a bulk, large area film composed of silver/gold nanoparticles as used in conventional methods. Thus, this work provides a new approach for the design and fabrication of freestanding SERS substrates for molecular detection applications.