Fabrication of highly uniform three-dimensional SERS substrates by control of wettability

We present a simple and reproducible method for the fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates by controlling wettability. A superhydrophilic SU-8 microstructured surface generated using O-2 plasma treatment led to the formation of a monolayer of aggregated Ag nanoparticles with nanoscale gaps. The SERS substrate showed a highly sensitive and uniform SERS response.