SERS Active Surface in Two Steps, Patterning and Metallization

Robust and reproducible metallized nano/microstructured surfaces of polymeric surfaces have been successfully prepared by direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) of commercial polymeric films followed by sputtering of metallic thin films. The SERS spectra for 2-thioaniline adsorbed on a structured polycarbonate surfaces covered with a gold or platinum film showed a ca. three order of magnitude enhancement over a flat surface with the same metal film. The method here reported is suitable for mass production of substrates for SERS since large areas (several cm2) can be structured in ca. 1–5 s.