Development of plasmonic ZnO@Ag core-shell nanostructures embedded PDMS pillars as hot-spots for SERS detection

Plasmonic nanostructures embedded onto Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and Nano Micro Mechanical Devices (NEMS) have paved way for a real-time detection of molecules in humans especially before the onset of diseased conditions. With the new kind of embedded multifunctional polymeric nano devices possessing high sensitivity and selectivity make remarkable stand out systems. One such device reported here makes an ultimate platform towards product development. Plasmonic “hot-spot” surface enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) detectors of ZnO@Ag nanostructures were prepared via three step fabrication process, 1. Pillar formation (poly dimethoxy silane (PDMS) mold), 2. Growing ZnO nanorods on the side of pillars and 3. Ag seed growth onto the ZnO rods@PDMS pillars. Finally, the device will be quantified spatial-temporally for Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) while pillars bend during cell growth and the contractile unit detection can be studied as function of time.