Side-to-side alignment of gold nanorods with polarization-free characteristic for highly reproducible surface enhanced Raman scattering

A large-batch method for fabricating large-area, low-cost, and flexible surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) arrays with Au nanorods (NRs) using an inkjet printing technique was presented. The Raman mapping results of 441 points reveal clearly that the Au NRs arrays are a well reproducible SERS substrate for the detection of various chemicals. The neighbouring Au NRs aligned side-to-side nanoclusters were formed on printer paper as a highly reproducible SERS platform due to its polarization-free properties which were further confirmed by theoretical calculations of the electric field enhancement change about only two. Therefore, the SERS signals can be more evenly enhanced. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.