Scientists use SERS technology to precisely monitor the diffusion behavior of single molecules

A research team led by Professor Yang Liangbao of the Hefei Institute of Physical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, used surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to precisely monitor the diffusion behavior of single molecules in subnanometer space.

of study Published in Physical Chemistry Letters Journal.

SERS technology, a sensitive and selective analytical technique, enables single-molecule-level analysis by inducing resonance phenomena on metal surfaces that significantly enhance molecular Raman signals. However, long-term monitoring of unlabeled single molecules remains a challenge.

In this study, the researchers exploited the excellent photothermal effect of gold nanorods to construct hotspot structures with a gap size of approximately 1.0 nm using laser reconstruction.

The constructed hotspot not only provides excellent SERS enhancement but also actively captures target molecules and enables real-time monitoring and analysis of the diffusion behavior of crystalline purple single molecules.

“This allowed us to observe the blinking behavior of purple single-crystal molecules for up to four minutes using dynamic surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy,” said team member Yan Wuwen.

Using a combination of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and SERS mapping results, they concluded that single-crystal violet molecules can be confined in subnanometer spaces.

This research provides a unique method for understanding molecular interactions, chemical reactions, and behavior of biomolecules.