Easily fabricated SERS tags based on spherical polymer matrices decorated by gold nanoparticles Ksenia Maleeva, Arina Pavlova, Grigory Samofalov, Mikhail Baranov, Evgeny Smirnov, Kirill Bogdanov Journal of Physics Conference Series, 2025 Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is an effective technique for analyzing various analyte molecules, with applications in sensing, medicine, and studying biological processes. This paper presents a straightforward method for creating a SERS-active composite using polymer matrices and gold nanoparticles. Traditional layer-by-layer deposition with charged polyelectrolytes, often leads to formation of polyelectrolyte-gold aggregates outside the polymer sphere or in the wrapping of gold nanoparticles in the polyelectrolyte layer, reducing the effective area for SERS enhancement. In contrast, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) produced via ascorbic acid reduction can aggregate on a charged polymer surface without polyelectrolytes. Nanoparticles obtained by citrate reduction are capable of easy ligand exchange on the surface and were tested for the obtaining of PMS decorated with gold nanoparticles. The microspheres surface filling with gold nanoparticles was calculated from SEM images. The percentage of filled with AuNPs area for samples PMS/ascorbic AuNPs and PMS/citrate AuNPs is 32% and 22%, respectively. The dye rhodamine 6G was used to evaluate SERS signal enhancement. The structures enabled detection of dye concentrations as low as 1×10-6 mol/L, achieving an analytical enhancement factor is equal to 1.4 × 104.
Self-Assembled Gold Nanoparticles as Reusable SERS Substrates for Polyphenolic Compound Detection Arina Pavlova, Ksenia Maleeva, Ivan V. Moskalenko, Vadim Belyaev, Mikhail V. Zhukov, Demid Kirilenko, Kirill V. Bogdanov, Evgeny Smirnov International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024 Natural polyphenolic compounds play a pivotal role in biological processes and exhibit notable antioxidant activity. Among these compounds, chlorogenic acid stands out as one of the most widespread and important polyphenols. The accurate detection of chlorogenic acid is crucial for ensuring the quality and classification of the raw materials used in its extraction, as well as the final products in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries that contain this bioactive compound. Raman spectroscopy emerges as a powerful analytical tool, particularly in field applications, due to its versatility and sensitivity, offering both qualitative and quantitative analyses. By using the self-assembly of gold nanoparticles at liquid–liquid interfaces and the developed “aqua-print” process, we propose a facile and inexpensive route to fabricate enhanced substrates for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy with high reproducibility. To ensure substrate reliability and accurate molecule detection in SERS experiments, a benchmarking procedure was developed. This process involved the use of non-resonant rhodamine 6G dye in the absence of charge transfer and was applied to all synthesized nanoparticles and fabricated substrates. The latter revealed the highest enhancement factor of 4 × 104 for 72 nm gold nanoparticles among nanoparticle diameters ranging from 14 to 99 nm. Furthermore, the enhanced substrate was implemented in the detection of chlorogenic acid with a concentration range from 10 μM to 350 μM, demonstrating high accuracy (R2 > 99%). Raman mapping was employed to validate the good uniformity of the signal (the standard deviation was below 15%). The findings of this study were also supported by DFT calculations of the theoretical Raman spectra, demonstrating the formation of the chlorogenic acid dimer. The proposed method is strategically important for the development of the class of in-field methods to detect polyphenolic compounds in raw materials such as plants, extracted plant proteins, and polyphenolic compounds.
Self-assembled plasmonic silver nanoparticle films on anodic alumina for SERS applications Igor Y. Nikitin, Ksenia А. Maleeva, Daria A. Kafeeva, Alexey V. Nashchekin, Igor A. Gladskikh Proceedings of SPIE the International Society for Optical Engineering, 2023 A new approach to making silver colloid nanoparticle based SERS substrates has been demonstrated. A self-assembled silver film with plasmon resonance has been obtained by self-assembly. Four-valent ammonium salts have been used as coordinating molecules. The method is simple and does not involve complicated machinery or difficult mask making techniques that are used to fabricate SERS substrates today. It involves mixing the tetraoctylammonium bromide or tetrabutylammonium nitrate with hexane and silver nanoparticle water colloid solution in one vial, shaking it to obtain a monolayer film on hexane surface and just pouring it onto the cleaned substrate. The anodic alumina barrier layer has been used to induce more uniform self-assembly of colloid films. This SERS structure can be used in conventional plasmonics, sensors and medical applications
Formation of Gold Nanoparticle Self-Assembling Films in Various Polymer Matrices for SERS Substrates Ksenia A. Maleeva, Ilia E. Kaliya, Anton P. Tkach, Anton A. Babaev, Michail A. Baranov, Kevin Berwick, Tatiana S. Perova, Alexander V. Baranov, Kirill V. Bogdanov Materials, 2022 Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is regarded as a versatile tool for studying the composition and structure of matter. This work has studied the preparation of a SERS substrate based on a self-assembling plasmonic nanoparticle film (SPF) in a polymer matrix. Several synthesis parameters for the SPF are investigated, including the size of the particles making up the film and the concentration and type of the self-assembling agent. The result of testing systems with different characteristics is discussed using a model substance (pseudoisocyanin iodide). These models can be useful in the study of biology and chemistry. Research results contain the optimal parameters for SPF synthesis, maximizing the SERS signal. The optimal procedure for SPF assembly is determined and used for the synthesis of composite SPFs within different polymer matrices. SPF in a polymer matrix is necessary for the routine use of the SERS substrate for various types of analytes, including solid samples or those sensitive to contamination. Polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and polyethylene are investigated to obtain a polymer matrix for SPF, and various methods of incorporating SPF into a polymer matrix are being explored. It is found that films with the best signal enhancement and reproducibility were obtained in polystyrene. The minimum detectable concentration for the SERS substrate obtained is equal to 10−10 M. We prepared a SERS substrate with an analytical enhancement factor of 2.7 × 104, allowing an increase in the detection sensitivity of analyte solutions of five orders of magnitude.
Self-assembling plasmonic film of different-sized gold nanoparticles as a SERS substrate: The optimization study K. A. Maleeva, M. A. Baranov, K. V. Bogdanov Journal of Physics Conference Series, 2022 The features of improving self-assembled films based on different-sized gold particles were investigated in this work. A study of the SERS signal was carried out to compare SPF samples consisting of gold nanoparticles of different sizes. For this purpose, colloids with different particle sizes were synthesized. These are spherical particles 20 nm and 40 nm in diameter and lamellar particles with an approximate size of 60x40x15 nm. Optimization of the concentration of the self-assembly agent of the reaction mixture in the preparation of the self-assembled plasmon film (SPF) has been carried out. The concentration of the self-collecting agent in the organic phase, at which the maximum values of the SERS enhancement of the signal were observed, is 10−5 M. The showing the reproducibility of the SERS signal for samples with the maximum enhancing of the SERS signal value is close for the all the studied particle sizes consisted SPF.
Comparison study of Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrates K A Khnykina, M A Baranov, A A Babaev, A Y Dubavik, A V Fedorov, A V Baranov, K V Bogdanov Journal of Physics Conference Series, 2021 Different parameters are used when comparing SERS substrates in the research of most scientific groups. These parameters are more often aimed at comparing theory and experiment. We described experimental models for comparison and explain their applicability. In this work, a reaction mixture volume fixing technique was chosen when comparing different substrates. The intensity distribution maps with an area of 2025 μm2(9X9 points) were recorded and described. We successfully used the parameters average intensity of intensity distribution maps and percentage gate of intensity distribution maps for comparison of enhancing substrate. We have observed uniform enhancing across the entire surface of self-assembled plasmonic film. A comparative study has shown that the self-assembled plasmonic film sample has high enhancing factors and good reproducibility of factors over the studying sample surface. Average intensity of dropcasted colloidal gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) sample is equal to 1860 counts and percentage gate of intensity data equals 125%. Average intensity of self-assembling plasmonic film is equal to 112000 counts and percentage gate equals 1,67%.
Key Factors for Tuning Au Self-Assembling SERS Films: from Properties to Structure K. A. Khnykina, M. A. Baranov, A. A. Babaev, A. V. Baranov, K. V. Bogdanov Optics and Spectroscopy, 2021 Abstract We studied self-assembled plasmonic films (SPF) based on gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs). We recorded the intensity distribution maps (IDM) with an area of 2025 μm2 (9 × 9 points). We have observed uniform enhancement across the entire surface of SPF. Therefore, we used the parameters average intensity of IDM and IDM gate when we optimized the synthesis of SPF. Average intensity is the average intensity value over 81 spectra of the IDM. The gate is the span excluding 10% of the outliers. We have discovered that the maximum average intensity was observed at a concentration of 1.00 × 10–5 M. A decrease in the concentration of Au-NPs leads to a decrease in the average intensity. A simultaneous decrease in TOABr and A-u‑NPs concentration also leads to a decrease in the average intensity. The film obtained by the optimal synthesis method was characterized using SEM and AFM.
Printable Potentiometric Ion‐Selective Electrodes Based on Carbon Fiber and Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene Nanoflakes: Eliminating Complex Modifications I Korolev, A Bondar, A Pavlova, K Maleeva, V Minisheva, G Ovinov, ... Small 22 (8), e10942 , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Easily fabricated SERS tags based on spherical polymer matrices decorated by gold nanoparticles K Maleeva, A Pavlova, G Samofalov, M Baranov, E Smirnov, K Bogdanov Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2978 (1), 012003 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Optimization of Enhanced Substrates for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy AO Akhundzianova, AA Pavlova, KA Maleeva, EA Smirnov Book of ABSTRACTS 12-th International School and Conference on … , 2025 2025
SERS tags based on polymer microspheres decorated by gold nanoparticles: layer-by-layer deposition vs. aggregation from quasi-stable colloidal solution KA Maleeva, A Pavlova, GV Zmaga, AV Baranov, AP Tkach, MA Baranov, ... Journal of Materials Chemistry C 13 (31), 16265-16275 , 2025 2025
Self-assembled gold nanoparticles as reusable SERS substrates for polyphenolic compound detection A Pavlova, K Maleeva, IV Moskalenko, V Belyaev, MV Zhukov, D Kirilenko, ... International Journal of Molecular Sciences 25 (23), 12785 , 2024 2024 Citations: 12
Fast and scalable fabrication of Ag/TiO2 nanostructured substrates for enhanced plasmonic sensing and photocatalytic applications SA Khubezhov, EY Ponkratova, AM Kuzmichev, KA Maleeva, AO Larin, ... Applied Surface Science 670, 160669 , 2024 2024 Citations: 16
Fabrication of polymer microsphere-based whispering gallery mode microcavities of various sizes incorporating AG–IN–S quantum dots SA Khorkina, AP Tkach, KA Maleeva, KV Bogdanov Optics and Spectroscopy 132 (5), 496-502 , 2024 2024
Self-assembly of silver nanoparticles at the liquid-liquid interface as scaffold for new generation of Raman sensors AA Pavlova, AD Shekhovtsova, KA Maleeva, EA Smirnov Book of abstracts XIII International Conference on Chemistry for Young … , 2024 2024
SERS substrates based on polymer-protected self-assembled plasmonic films with gold nanoparticles as enhancing element of a microfluidic sensor K Maleeva, D Dadadzhanov, A Palekhova, I Kaliya, A Tkach, A Baranov, ... Optical Materials 146, 114581 , 2023 2023 Citations: 10
Self-Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles at the Liquid-Liquid Interface as a Platform for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering AA Pavlova, KA Maleeva, EA Smirnov BOOK OF ABSTRACTS «New Emerging Trends in Chemistry» Conference … , 2023 2023
Self-assembled plasmonic silver nanoparticle films on anodic alumina for SERS applications IY Nikitin, KА Maleeva, DA Kafeeva, AV Nashyokin, IA Gladskikh Plasmonics VII 12774, 12-20 , 2023 2023
Formation of Gold Nanoparticle Self-Assembling Films in Various Polymer Matrices for SERS Substrates KA Maleeva, IE Kaliya, AP Tkach, AA Babaev, MA Baranov, K Berwick, ... Materials 15 (15), 5197 , 2022 2022 Citations: 10
Self-assembling plasmonic film of different-sized gold nanoparticles as a SERS substrate: the optimization study KA Maleeva, MA Baranov, KV Bogdanov Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2172 (1), 012007 , 2022 2022
Fabrication of SERS-active structures via electrostatic deposition of colloidal gold nanoparticles on polymer microspheres MA Miropoltsev, AP Tkach, KA Maleeva, KV Bogdanov Научно-технические ведомости Санкт-Петербургского государственного … , 2022 2022 Citations: 3
Comparison study of Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrates KA Khnykina, MA Baranov, AA Babaev, AY Dubavik, AV Fedorov, ... Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1984 (1), 012020 , 2021 2021 Citations: 7
Key Factors for Tuning Au Self-Assembling SERS Films: From Properties to Structure KA Khnykina, MA Baranov, AA Babaev, AV Baranov, KV Bogdanov Optics and Spectroscopy 129 (4), 495-504 , 2021 2021 Citations: 6
Molecular dynamics simulation and experimental investigation of material and structural parameters of multicomponent ferroelectric liquid crystal mixture GI Makarov, EV Bartashevich, KA Khnykina, FV Podgornov Journal of Molecular Liquids 283, 630-637 , 2019 2019 Citations: 3
Influence of Environment on Raman Spectra of Glycine and Prospect of Their Use for Functional Diagnostics of Human Beings KA Khnykina, VV Kireev, NV Krunina, ND Kundikova, EV Verina 2018 Global Smart Industry Conference (GloSIC), 1-7 , 2018 2018 Citations: 3
Tetraphenylantimony N-benzoylglycinate: synthesis and structure VV Sharutin, OK Sharutina, KA Khnykina Russian Journal of Inorganic Chemistry 61 (2), 180-182 , 2016 2016 Citations: 12
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Fast and scalable fabrication of Ag/TiO2 nanostructured substrates for enhanced plasmonic sensing and photocatalytic applications SA Khubezhov, EY Ponkratova, AM Kuzmichev, KA Maleeva, AO Larin, ... Applied Surface Science 670, 160669 , 2024 2024 Citations: 16
Self-assembled gold nanoparticles as reusable SERS substrates for polyphenolic compound detection A Pavlova, K Maleeva, IV Moskalenko, V Belyaev, MV Zhukov, D Kirilenko, ... International Journal of Molecular Sciences 25 (23), 12785 , 2024 2024 Citations: 12
Tetraphenylantimony N-benzoylglycinate: synthesis and structure VV Sharutin, OK Sharutina, KA Khnykina Russian Journal of Inorganic Chemistry 61 (2), 180-182 , 2016 2016 Citations: 12
SERS substrates based on polymer-protected self-assembled plasmonic films with gold nanoparticles as enhancing element of a microfluidic sensor K Maleeva, D Dadadzhanov, A Palekhova, I Kaliya, A Tkach, A Baranov, ... Optical Materials 146, 114581 , 2023 2023 Citations: 10
Formation of Gold Nanoparticle Self-Assembling Films in Various Polymer Matrices for SERS Substrates KA Maleeva, IE Kaliya, AP Tkach, AA Babaev, MA Baranov, K Berwick, ... Materials 15 (15), 5197 , 2022 2022 Citations: 10
Comparison study of Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrates KA Khnykina, MA Baranov, AA Babaev, AY Dubavik, AV Fedorov, ... Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1984 (1), 012020 , 2021 2021 Citations: 7
Key Factors for Tuning Au Self-Assembling SERS Films: From Properties to Structure KA Khnykina, MA Baranov, AA Babaev, AV Baranov, KV Bogdanov Optics and Spectroscopy 129 (4), 495-504 , 2021 2021 Citations: 6
Fabrication of SERS-active structures via electrostatic deposition of colloidal gold nanoparticles on polymer microspheres MA Miropoltsev, AP Tkach, KA Maleeva, KV Bogdanov Научно-технические ведомости Санкт-Петербургского государственного … , 2022 2022 Citations: 3
Molecular dynamics simulation and experimental investigation of material and structural parameters of multicomponent ferroelectric liquid crystal mixture GI Makarov, EV Bartashevich, KA Khnykina, FV Podgornov Journal of Molecular Liquids 283, 630-637 , 2019 2019 Citations: 3
Influence of Environment on Raman Spectra of Glycine and Prospect of Their Use for Functional Diagnostics of Human Beings KA Khnykina, VV Kireev, NV Krunina, ND Kundikova, EV Verina 2018 Global Smart Industry Conference (GloSIC), 1-7 , 2018 2018 Citations: 3
Printable Potentiometric Ion‐Selective Electrodes Based on Carbon Fiber and Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene Nanoflakes: Eliminating Complex Modifications I Korolev, A Bondar, A Pavlova, K Maleeva, V Minisheva, G Ovinov, ... Small 22 (8), e10942 , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Easily fabricated SERS tags based on spherical polymer matrices decorated by gold nanoparticles K Maleeva, A Pavlova, G Samofalov, M Baranov, E Smirnov, K Bogdanov Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2978 (1), 012003 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Optimization of Enhanced Substrates for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy AO Akhundzianova, AA Pavlova, KA Maleeva, EA Smirnov Book of ABSTRACTS 12-th International School and Conference on … , 2025 2025
SERS tags based on polymer microspheres decorated by gold nanoparticles: layer-by-layer deposition vs. aggregation from quasi-stable colloidal solution KA Maleeva, A Pavlova, GV Zmaga, AV Baranov, AP Tkach, MA Baranov, ... Journal of Materials Chemistry C 13 (31), 16265-16275 , 2025 2025
Fabrication of polymer microsphere-based whispering gallery mode microcavities of various sizes incorporating AG–IN–S quantum dots SA Khorkina, AP Tkach, KA Maleeva, KV Bogdanov Optics and Spectroscopy 132 (5), 496-502 , 2024 2024
Self-assembly of silver nanoparticles at the liquid-liquid interface as scaffold for new generation of Raman sensors AA Pavlova, AD Shekhovtsova, KA Maleeva, EA Smirnov Book of abstracts XIII International Conference on Chemistry for Young … , 2024 2024
Self-Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles at the Liquid-Liquid Interface as a Platform for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering AA Pavlova, KA Maleeva, EA Smirnov BOOK OF ABSTRACTS «New Emerging Trends in Chemistry» Conference … , 2023 2023
Self-assembled plasmonic silver nanoparticle films on anodic alumina for SERS applications IY Nikitin, KА Maleeva, DA Kafeeva, AV Nashyokin, IA Gladskikh Plasmonics VII 12774, 12-20 , 2023 2023
Self-assembling plasmonic film of different-sized gold nanoparticles as a SERS substrate: the optimization study KA Maleeva, MA Baranov, KV Bogdanov Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2172 (1), 012007 , 2022 2022
