The fabrication of PDMS polymer templates on aluminum sheet by laser marking in micro-nano structure scale for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)

This research proposes the fabrication of Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) templates from Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer. PDMS polymer template was cast on aluminum sheet pattern that was engraved by laser marking in micro-nano structure scale with various laser engraved frequency from 30 to 90 kHz. After prepared PDMS templates, a sputtering system is used to decorate the template with silver nanoparticles for 30 seconds in order to promote the SERS-active surface. The achievement testing of the enhanced Raman signal template is conducted with Methylene Blue (MB) as the molecules. The results showed that the SERS performance could enhanced the Raman signals as high as at 1 × 10−6 M of MB concentration and the optimum laser frequency of the SERS is 30 kHz. This also clearly indicates that the powerful Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy template can be made from PDMS which is a lower cost than silicon and easy to use.