Analytical Sciences

Indirect Interactions between Raman Probes Encapsulated within Cucurbit[7]urils and Gold Nanorods to Enhance Long-term Stability and Signal

Min Jung SEO,* Kangkyun BAEK,** and Ji Won HA*

*Advanced Nano Bio Imaging and Spectroscopy Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Ulsan, 93 Daehak-Ro, Nam-Gu, Ulsan 44610, Republic of Korea
**Center for Self-assembly and Complexity, Institute for Basic Science, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful technique that enhances Raman signals by adsorbing probe molecules on rough metal surfaces. However, SERS is limited because target molecules must strongly interact with metal to enhance a stable Raman signal. In this study, to improve long-term SERS stability, we use cucurbit[7]urils (CB[7]) as bridge molecules and sample containers to probe Rhodamine 6G (R6G) molecules. We observed interactions between gold nanorods (AuNRs) and CB[7] via aggregate formation, which enhanced the Raman signal and improved long-term R6G probe stability by up to 20 days when encapsulated within CB[7] during SERS analysis.

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