Graphene-assisted preparation of large-scale single-crystal Ag(111) nanoparticle arrays for surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of metal nanostructures has broad application prospects in the fields of sensing, energy, catalysis and optics. This paper reports a graphene-assisted method for preparing large-scale single-crystal Ag(111) nanoparticle (NP) arrays based on the ion implantation technique. By surface periodic patterning treatment and annealing of the implanted sample, regularly arranged Ag NPs can be prepared on the sample surface. A new application for graphene is proposed, that is, as a perfect barrier layer to prevent metal atoms from evaporating or diffusing. All the Ag NPs show (111) crystal orientation. Besides, the Ag atoms are covered by graphene immediately when they precipitate from the substrate, which can prevent them from being oxidized. On the basis of this structure, as one of the applications of the metal SPR, we have measured the surface-enhanced Raman scattering effect and found that the G peak of the Raman spectrum of the graphene achieved about 20 times enhancement. (paper)