One-Pot Rapid Synthesis of Kinked Gold Nanowires with High SERS Activity

Abstract

Developing a simple method to prepare a nanostructure with high SERS activity is crucial for achieving efficient and rapid trace detection and even single-molecule detection. However, conventional methods often struggle to reconcile these two requirements simultaneously. Herein, we report a simple, feasible, and rapid synthetic approach for the preparation of kinked Au nanowires. Under the same testing conditions, the kinked Au nanowires achieved a detection concentration as low as 10–10 M for rhodamine 6G, which is 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of conventional Au nanospheres (10–8 M), demonstrating excellent trace detection capability. The resulting nanostructures not only possess high SERS activity and straightforward preparation but also exhibit a continuously tunable absorption spectrum spanning the visible to near-infrared region. This work provides valuable guidance for the rational design and development of high-performance SERS substrates.