Electrodeposition of plasmonic bimetallic Ag-Cu nanodendrites and their application as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates

Plasmonic bimetallic Ag-Cu nanodendrites were synthesized by an electrodeposition process and their potential as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates was studied. We demonstrated a facile and efficient way for the preparation of highly sensitive SERS substrates. The electrodeposition time was an important parameter in the formation of Ag-Cu dendrites onto the Al sheet. The Ag-Cu dendrites showed an excellent response detecting Rhodamine 6 G at ultra-low concentrations such as 1 × 10⁻¹⁵ mol l⁻¹. This Ag-Cu substrate possesses an excellent SERS activity and it could be used for the detection of molecules at trace level. This electrodeposition process could be extended for the fabrication of other plasmonic bimetallic dendrites. (paper)