A route to increase the enhancement factor of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) via a high density Ag flower-like pattern

We explored a route to prepare a high enhancement factor of SERS substrate via a high density of Ag flowerlike pattern. The finite difference time domain (FDTD) calculations indicate that the Ag flowerlike pattern may demonstrate a high quality SERS property owing to the high density and abundant hot spot characteristic. Using an unusually high overpotential with electrodeposition system, the fractal flowerlike patterns and the high density nanoparticle arrays were experimental synthesized. The SERS measurement of above different Ag nanostructures verified the predications from the FDTD calculation. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.