SERS substrates were prepared by thermal evaporation of either silver (Ag, Sigma-Aldrich, 99.999%) or gold (Au, American Elements, 99.999%) onto a commercial anodized aluminum oxide filter (Anodisc 13, Whatman) with 0.1 µm pores followed by subsequent removal of the AAO template as shown in Figure 1 . The Anodisc filters were cleaned in Argon plasma for 5 minutes prior to depositing 400–1000 nm of Ag/Au onto a single side of the filter. Deposition was performed at a rate of 1 Å/sec. After deposition, the metal-coated filters were stored under vacuum until needed to prevent surface oxidation and contamination. The AAO filter was removed in 0.1 M NaOH (Sigma-Aldrich, 99.99%). After dissolution of the AAO filter, the film was rinsed with ultrapure water (Nanopure, 18.2MΩ cm).
For analysis, a self-assembled monolayer of thiophenol was formed on the SERS substrate by soaking in a 10 mM ethanolic solution of thiophenol (Sigma-Aldrich, >99%) for 24 h, rinsing with ethanol, and allowing to dry prior to further experiments. Characterization was performed on the thiophenol-SAM on the metal-coated filter and after dissolution of the AAO template.
The SERS active metal film is quite thin (≤ 1 micrometer) and delicate after removal of the AAO template. For experiments, the film is epoxied to a solid support prior to template dissolution.
For analysis, a self-assembled monolayer of thiophenol was formed on the SERS substrate by soaking in a 10 mM ethanolic solution of thiophenol (Sigma-Aldrich, >99%) for 24 h, rinsing with ethanol, and allowing to dry prior to further experiments. Characterization was performed on the thiophenol-SAM on the metal-coated filter and after dissolution of the AAO template.
The SERS active metal film is quite thin (≤ 1 micrometer) and delicate after removal of the AAO template. For experiments, the film is epoxied to a solid support prior to template dissolution.
