INST scientists find route to fabricate precisely controlled nanostructures of desired geometry & location on 2D materials

  • IASbaba
  • May 29, 2020
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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.

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