UPSC Articles
INST scientists find route to fabricate precisely controlled nanostructures of desired geometry & location on 2D materials
Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-III – Science and Technology
In News:
- Researchers at Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) Mohali, have found a straightforward and unique route to fabricate precisely controlled nanostructures of desired geometry and location on 2D materials.
- The route is through a rapid one-step low power laser writing process.
- INST is an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology (DST).
Key takeaways
- The INST group developed a hybrid Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy(SERS) platform of Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanostructure.
- It was decorated with gold nanoparticles where direct laser writing is used to engineer the artificial edges on the surface of MoS2.
- This created localized hotspots with remarkable precision and control.
- A focused laser beam of low power of a conventional Raman spectrometer was used to do nanostructuring on 2D flakes of desired feature size and geometry.
- They achieved the minimum feature size of ̴300nm.
- This technique enhanced the local electromagnetic field leading to formation of hotspots.
- Advantages:
- This will open a new avenue for the development of commercialized SERS substrate with a localized detection capability of analytes.
- SERS hybrid platform will also shed new light in the SERS sensing of biological and chemical molecules.
- The artificial edges of the 2D layers can be functionalized with an antibody with adequate coating and linkers for the SERS detection of various biomarkers.
Important value additions
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)
- It is a surface-sensitive technique that enhances Raman scattering by molecules adsorbed on rough metal surfaces or by nanostructures such as gold.
- The technique may detect single molecules.
Raman spectroscopy
- It is a spectroscopic technique typically used to determine vibrational modes of molecules.
- It is commonly used in chemistry to provide a structural fingerprint by which molecules can be identified.
