Name: observation and analysis of blinking surface-enhanced raman scattering
Uploaded: 2018-01-11T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Observation and Analysis of Blinking Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering at JoVE.com

The author thanks Prof. Y. Ozaki (Kwansei Gakuin University) and Dr. T. Itoh (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology) for their fruitful discussion of this work. This work was supported by KAKENHI (Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research C) from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (No. 16K05671).

1. Sample Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Preparation of silver colloidal nanoparticles20
	<ol>
		<li>To fabricate silver colloidal nanoparticles, dissolve 0.030 g of silver nitrate and 0.030 g of trisodium citrate dihydrate in 150 mL of water in a 200-mL round bottom flask.</li>
		<li>Combine the flask with a reflux (Dimroth) condenser.</li>
		<li>Stir the solution in the flask with a magnetic stirrer and stir bar. Then, heat the stirring solution in the flask in an oil bath at 150 &#176...

<ol>
	<li>Qian, X. M., Nie, S. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Single-molecule+and+single-nanoparticle+SERS:+from+fundamental+mechanisms+to+biomedical+applications.">Single-molecule and single-nanoparticle SERS: from fundamental mechanisms to biomedical applications.</a> Chem. Soc. Rev. 37, 912-920 (2008).</li><li>Pieczonka, N. P. W., Aroca, R. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Single+molecule+analysis+by+surfaced-enhanced+Raman+scattering.">Single molecule analysis by surfaced-enhanced Raman scattering.</a> Chem. Soc. Rev. 37, 946-954 (2008).</li><li>Kneipp, J., Kneipp, H., Kneipp, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=SERS+-a+single-molecule+and+nanoscale+tool+for+bioanalytics.">SERS -a single-molecule and nanoscale tool for bioanalytics.</a> Chem. Soc. Rev. 37, 1052-1060 (2008).</li><li>Kitahama, Y., Ozaki, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Analysis+of+blinking+SERS+by+a+power+law+with+an+exponential+function.">Analysis of blinking SERS by a power law with an exponential function.</a> Frontiers of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering: Single-Nanoparticles and Single Cells. , (2014).</li><li>Kitahama, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Truncated+Power+Law+Analysis+of+Blinking+SERS.">Truncated Power Law Analysis of Blinking SERS.</a> Frontiers of Plasmon Enhanced Spectroscopy Volume 1 (ACS Symposium series Vol. 1245). , (2016).</li><li>Bizzarri, A. R., Cannistraro, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=L&#233;vy+Statistics+of+Vibrational+Mode+Fluctuations+of+Single+Molecules+from+Surface-Enhanced+Raman+Scattering.">L&#233;vy Statistics of Vibrational Mode Fluctuations of Single Molecules from Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering.</a> Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 068303 (2005).</li><li>Kitahama, Y., Tanaka, Y., Itoh, T., Ozaki, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Power-law+analysis+of+surface-plasmon-enhanced+electromagnetic+field+dependence+of+blinking+SERS+of+thiacyanine+or+thiacarbocyanine+adsorbed+on+single+silver+nanoaggregates.">Power-law analysis of surface-plasmon-enhanced electromagnetic field dependence of blinking SERS of thiacyanine or thiacarbocyanine adsorbed on single silver nanoaggregates.</a> Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 13, 7439-7448 (2011).</li><li>Kitahama, Y., Tanaka, Y., Itoh, T., Ozaki, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Analysis+of+excitation+laser+intensity+dependence+of+blinking+SERRS+of+thiacarbocyanine+adsorbed+on+single+silver+nanoaggregates+by+using+a+power+law+with+an+exponential+function.">Analysis of excitation laser intensity dependence of blinking SERRS of thiacarbocyanine adsorbed on single silver nanoaggregates by using a power law with an exponential function.</a> Chem. Commun. 47, 3888-3890 (2011).</li><li>Kitahama, Y., Enogaki, A., Tanaka, Y., Itoh, T., Ozaki, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Truncated+power+law+analysis+of+blinking+SERS+of+thiacyanine+molecules+adsorbed+on+single+silver+nanoaggregates+by+excitation+at+various+wavelengths.">Truncated power law analysis of blinking SERS of thiacyanine molecules adsorbed on single silver nanoaggregates by excitation at various wavelengths.</a> J. Phys. Chem. C. 117, 9397-9403 (2013).</li><li>Kitahama, Y., Araki, D., Yamamoto, Y. S., Itoh, T., Ozaki, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Different+behaviour+of+molecules+in+dark+SERS+state+on+colloidal+Ag+nanoparticles+estimated+by+truncated+power+law+analysis+of+blinking+SERS.">Different behaviour of molecules in dark SERS state on colloidal Ag nanoparticles estimated by truncated power law analysis of blinking SERS.</a> Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 17, 21204-21210 (2015).</li><li>Kitahama, Y., Nagahiro, T., Tanaka, Y., Itoh, T., Ozaki, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Analysis+of+blinking+from+multicoloured+SERS-active+Ag+colloidal+nanoaggregates+with+poly-L-lysine+via+truncated+power+law.">Analysis of blinking from multicoloured SERS-active Ag colloidal nanoaggregates with poly-L-lysine via truncated power law.</a> J. Raman. Spectrosc. 48, 570-577 (2017).</li><li>Habuchi, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Single-Molecule+Surface+Enhanced+Resonance+Raman+Spectroscopy+of+the+Enhanced+Green+Fluorescent+Protein.">Single-Molecule Surface Enhanced Resonance Raman Spectroscopy of the Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein.</a> J. Am. Chem. Soc. 125, 8446-8447 (2003).</li><li>Weiss, A., Haran, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Time-Dependent+Single-Molecule+Raman+Scattering+as+a+Probe+of+Surface+Dynamics.">Time-Dependent Single-Molecule Raman Scattering as a Probe of Surface Dynamics.</a> J. Phys. Chem. B. 105, 12348-12354 (2001).</li><li>Emory, S. R., Jensen, R. A., Wenda, T., Han, M., Nie, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Re-examining+the+origins+of+spectral+blinking+in+single-molecule+and+single-nanoparticle+SERS.">Re-examining the origins of spectral blinking in single-molecule and single-nanoparticle SERS.</a> Faraday Discuss. 132, 249-259 (2006).</li><li>Itoh, T., Iga, M., Tamaru, H., Yoshida, K., Biju, V., Ishikawa, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantitative+evaluation+of+blinking+in+surface+enhanced+resonance+Raman+scattering+and+fluorescence+by+electromagnetic+mechanism.">Quantitative evaluation of blinking in surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering and fluorescence by electromagnetic mechanism.</a> J. Chem. Phys. 136, 024703 (2012).</li><li>Willets, K. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Super-resolution+imaging+of+SERS+hot+spots.">Super-resolution imaging of SERS hot spots.</a> Chem. Soc. Rev. 43, 3854-3864 (2014).</li><li>Dieringer, J. A., Lettan, R. B., Scheidt, K. A., Van Duyne, R. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+Frequency+Domain+Existence+Proof+of+Single-Molecule+Surface-Enhanced+Raman+Spectroscopy.">A Frequency Domain Existence Proof of Single-Molecule Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy.</a> J. Am. Chem. Soc. 129, 16249-16256 (2007).</li><li>Cichos, F., von Borczyskowski, C., Orrit, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Power-law+intermittency+of+single+emitters.">Power-law intermittency of single emitters.</a> Curr. Opin. Colloid Interface Sci. 12, 272-284 (2007).</li><li>Tang, J., Marcus, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanisms+of+fluorescence+blinking+in+semiconductor+nanocrystal+quantum+dots.">Mechanisms of fluorescence blinking in semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots.</a> J. Chem. Phys. 123, 054704 (2005).</li><li>Lee, P. C., Meisel, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Adsorption+and+surface-enhanced+Raman+of+dyes+on+silver+and+gold+sols.">Adsorption and surface-enhanced Raman of dyes on silver and gold sols.</a> J. Phys. Chem. 86, 3391-3395 (1982).</li><li>Krichevsky, O., Bonnet, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fluorescence+correlation+spectroscopy:+the+technique+and+its+applications.">Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy: the technique and its applications.</a> Rep. Prog. Phys. 65, 251-297 (2002).</li><li>Hess, S. T., Huang, S., Heikal, A. A., Webb, W. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biological+and+Chemical+Applications+of+Fluorescence+Correlation+Spectroscopy:+A+Review.">Biological and Chemical Applications of Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy: A Review.</a> Biochemistry. 41, 697-705 (2002).</li></ol>

From the silver nanoaggregate junction, SERS is emitted. Thus, we need to prepare nanoaggregates rather than colloidal nanoparticles, which are covered with citrate anions. Silver aggregates are formed from the salting out effect created by the addition of poly-L-lysine, which has -NH3+ and is the origin of the SERS, or Na+ cations from NaCl, as shown in Figure S2 of the supplementary material. Moreover, to illuminate the many spots in the wide area, the unfocused laser b...

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is highly sensitive Raman spectroscopy from a noble metal surface. Since the Raman spectrum provides detailed information about molecular structure based on the sharp peak positions, through the vibrational modes of functional groups in the molecules, the information of a single molecule on a metal surface can be investigated using SERS1,2,3. From a silver nanoaggregate with an adsorbate at the single-molecule level, a blinking signal is observed1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16, and the spectrum fluctuates1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14. Blinking can be induced by a single molecule that randomly moves in and out of an enhanced electromagnetic (EM) field at a nanometer-sized silver nanoaggregate junction. Therefore, blinking is considered simple evidence for single-molecule detection, compared with a technique using a Poisson distribution of SERS intensities and a bi-analyte2,3,17. However, the detailed mechanisms of the blinking and fluctuating spectrum, which may strongly depend on molecular behavior on the Ag surface, are still controversial.
In previous studies, blinking SERS has been analyzed using the autocorrelation function, which can calculate the diffusion coefficient and concentration of molecules moving in and out of an enhanced EM field12,13,14. Moreover, a normalized standard deviation score, which represents instability in the total intensity, has been derived from the time profile of the signal15. However, these analytic approaches may be based on the behavior of a few molecules. In contrast, in a super-resolution imaging of blinking SERS, single-molecule behavior in an enhanced EM field can be identified16. However, these techniques can obtain such parameters only in an enhanced EM field. The random behavior of a single molecule within a wide range (for instance, in blinking SERS) can be represented as a power law rather than an average4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11, similar to blinking fluorescence from a single semiconductor quantum dot (QD)18,19. By using a power law analysis4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11, molecular behavior can be estimated in both the bright state (in the enhanced EM field) and dark state10; that is, the behavior of the molecule over the entire silver surface can be estimated.
For this technique, silver colloidal nanoaggregates are used4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11. These nanoaggregates show various localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) bands that strongly affect enhanced electromagnetic fields when they are excited at certain wavelengths. Thus, SERS-active silver nanoparticles exist in colloidal suspension, and some data can immediately be obtained. In the case of simple nanostructures, which have specific sizes, shapes, and arrangements, the LSPR dependence of SERS blinking can conceal other dependences7; namely, if the good or bad nanostructure to LSPR is used, the parameters will be constant, and the other dependences will therefore be hidden. Power law analysis has been used to discover various dependences of the blinking SERS from silver colloidal nanoaggregates4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:639px;" width="638">
	<colgroup>
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
	</colgroup>
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:227px;">Silver nitrate, 99.8%</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Wako</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">194-00832</td>
			<td style="width:211px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:227px;">Trisodium citrate dihydrate, 99. %</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Wako</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">191-01785</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:227px;">Poly-L-lysine aqueous solution, 0.1%</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">P8920</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="116">
			<td height="116" style="height:116px;width:227px;">3,3&#39;-disulfopropylthiacyanine triethylamine</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Hayashibara Biochemical Laboratories</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">NK-2703</td>
			<td>a kind of thiacyanine dyes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="116">
			<td height="116" style="height:116px;width:227px;">3,3&#39;-diethyl-5,5&#39;-dichloro-9-methylthiacarbocyanine iodine salt</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Hayashibara Biochemical Laboratories</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">SMP-9</td>
			<td>a kind of thiacarobocyanine dyes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:227px;">Sodium chloride, 99.5%</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Wako</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">191-01665</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:227px;">Dimroth condenser</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Iwaki</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">61-9722-22</td>
			<td>perchased from AS ONE</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:227px;">Magnetic stirrer</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Corning</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">DC-420D</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:227px;">Oil bath</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Advantech</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">OS-220</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:227px;">Glass plate</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Matsunami</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">S-1112</td>
			<td>Microscope slide</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:227px;">Blower</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Hozan</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Z-288</td>
			<td>Air duster</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="116">
			<td height="116" style="height:116px;width:227px;">Liquid blocker pen</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Daido Sangyo</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:211px;">LIQUID BLOCKER (Super Pap Pen). Ready-to-use hydrophobic barrier pen designed for immunohistochemistry applications</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:227px;">Inverted microscope</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Olympus</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">IX-70</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:227px;">Objective lens</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Olympus</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">LCPlanFl 60&#215;</td>
			<td>NA 0.7</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:227px;">Dark field condenser</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Olympus</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">U-DCD</td>
			<td style="width:211px;">NA 0.8&#8211;0.92</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:227px;">Cooled digital CCD camera</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Hamamatsu</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">ORCA-AG</td>
			<td style="width:211px;">controlled by software Aqua Cosmos</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="59">
			<td height="59" style="height:59px;width:227px;">Software for the cooled digital CCD camera</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Hamamatsu</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">AquaCosmos</td>
			<td style="width:211px;">used for also derivation of the time-profiles from the blinking spots in the video&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:227px;">Color CCD camera</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">ELMO</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">TNC-C920</td>
			<td>not used for analysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="59">
			<td height="59" style="height:59px;width:227px;">DPSS laser</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">RGB laser system</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">NovaPro532-75</td>
			<td style="width:211px;">&#955; = 532 nm; 
			60 mW (corresponds to a power density of 600 W/cm2)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:227px;">Interference filter</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Semrock</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">LL01-532-12.5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:227px;">Long pass filter</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">Semrock</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">BLP01-532R-25</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="59">
			<td height="59" style="height:59px;width:227px;">Software for the distinguishment and counting of the bright/dark events</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">home-maid</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>programmed by C++</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:227px;">Software for the fitting by a power law</td>
			<td style="width:83px;">LightStone</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Origin6.1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

observation and analysis of blinking surface-enhanced raman scattering

From a single molecule at a silver nanoaggregate junction, blinking surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is observed. Here, a protocol is presented on how to prepare the SERS-active silver nanoaggregate, record a video of certain blinking spots in the microscopic image, and analyze the blinking statistics. In this analysis, a power law reproduces the probability distributions for bright events relative to their duration. The probability distributions for dark events are fitted by a power law with an exponential function. The parameters of the power law represent molecular behavior in both bright and dark states. The random walk model and the speed of the molecule across the entire silver surface can be estimated. It is difficult to estimate even when using averages, autocorrelation functions, and super-resolution SERS imaging. In the future, power law analyses should be combined with spectral imaging, because the origins of blinking cannot be confirmed by this analysis method alone.

From the silver nanoaggregates with poly-L-lysine prepared by protocol 1.2, multicolored blinking spots from SERS and surface-enhanced fluorescence are observed, as shown in Figure 111. In contrast, monotonous colored blinking spots from SERS were observed for the silver nanoaggregates with the dye molecules prepared by protocol 1.37,8,9,...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Observation and Analysis of Blinking Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering at JoVE.com

Observation and Analysis of Blinking Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering

This protocol describes the analysis of blinking surface-enhanced Raman scattering due to the random walk of a single molecule on a silver surface using power laws.

From a single molecule at a silver nanoaggregate junction, blinking surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is observed. Here, a protocol is presented on ...

The overall goal of this analysis of Blinking Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering is to investigate the behavior of single molecules on metal nano-particle surfaces. This method can help answer key questions in interface and coral science about working behavior of solid liquid interfaces The main advantage of this technique is that many data can be gathered because approximately a dozen blinking spots can be simultaneously observed in one video. To begin this procedure, wash two glass microscope slides with liquid detergent and tap water.Rinse the slides with distilled water and allow them to air dry. Next, apply an aqueous solution of 0.1 percent poly-l lysine to one dry slide. Allow the solution to sit on the slide for two to three seconds.Then, use a compressed air blower to remove the excess solution and dry the slide. Next, apply a suspension of colloidal silver nanoparticles to the slide. Allow the suspension to sit for two to three seconds.Dry the slide with compressed air. Then, use a hydrophobic barrier pen to completely enclose a 26 millimeter by 26 millimeter area on the slide. Allow the barrier to dry.Drop distilled water onto the slide to fill the enclosed area. Cover the slide with the second clean dry glass slide to prevent water evaporation. Place the slide assembly on the sample stage of the inverted microscope.Illuminate the slide with white light through a dark field condenser. Focus on spots of various colors by changing from a 2x objective lens to a 60x objective lens. Next, use a diode pumped solid state continuous wave 532 nanometer laser, a band pass interference filter, and a lens to illuminate the sample with an attenuated beam at a 30 degree angle relative to the sample surface.Move the laser illumination to the center of the view, and slightly adjust the z direction of the sample stage, to refine the focus on the spots. Observe the aggregates as monotone spots against a uniform background. Next, turn off the laser, and insert a long pass-edge filter after the objective lens.Illuminate the sample with the laser at a 30 degree angle relative to the sample surface, through the interference filter and the external lens. Move the stage in the x and y directions to find the blinking spots. Then, use a deep cool digital CCD camera with a frame time of 61 to 120 milliseconds to acquire a 20 minute long video of the spots.To begin the analysis, open the acquired video in the CCD camera software. Click and drag to select areas with and without blinking spots. Perform a temporal analysis to derive a signal intensity time profile for the spots and dark areas.Acquire profiles for all blinking spots and dark areas of interest in this way. Then, generate probability distributions for bright and dark events relative to their durations. Multicolored blinking spots were observed from SERS of silver nano aggregates, prepared with poly-l lysine coated slides.The blinking signal is attributed to the random walk single molecules at silver nano aggregate junctions. The signals from the single nano aggregate showed varying intensities over time, unlike the blinking fluorescence of a quantum dot. The threshold for bright events was set to three standard deviations above the baseline intensity, and the bright and dark event durations were determined for each spot.The probability distribution of bright events was plotted against event duration as a line and a log log graph, whereas the probability distribution of dark events was plotted against duration as a curve. As the dark event durations were generally longer than the bright even durations, the power law exponents for bright events tended to be smaller than those for dark events. Shorter truncations times for dark events indicated a quicker molecular random walk, a higher energy barrier from a non-emissive state to an emissive state, or a combination of both.After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to observe and analyze blinking SERS phenomena.

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Statistics

Chemistry

Unit 1

Summarizing and Visualizing Data

SCIENTISTS IN ACTION

A Filter-based Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopic Assay for Rapid Detection of Chemical Contaminants

We demonstrate a method to fabricate highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic (SERS) substrates using a filter syringe system that can be applied to the detection of various chemical contaminants. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are synthesized via reduction of silver nitrate by sodium citrate. Then the NPs are aggregated by sodium chloride to form nanoclusters that could be trapped in the pores of the filter membrane. A syringe is connected to the filter holder, with a filter membrane inside. By loading the nanoclusters into the syringe and passing through the membrane, the liquid goes through the membrane but not the nanoclusters, forming a SERS-active membrane. When testing the analyte, the liquid sample is loaded into the syringe and flowed through the Ag NPs coated membrane. The analyte binds and concentrates on the Ag NPs coated membrane. Then the membrane is detached from the filter holder, air dried and measured by a Raman instrument. Here we present the study of the volume effect of Ag NPs and sample on the detection sensitivity as well as the detection of 10 ppb ferbam and 1 ppm ampicillin using the developed assay.

A procedure for fabrication and performing the filter-based surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic (SERS) assay for the detection of chemical contaminants (i.e., pesticide ferbam and antibiotic ampicillin) is presented.

We demonstrate a method to fabricate highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic (SERS) substrates using a filter syringe system that can be ...

Preparation of Biopolymer Aerogels Using Green Solvents

Although the first reports on aerogels made by Kistler1 in the 1930s dealt with aerogels from both inorganic oxides (silica and others) and biopolymers (gelatin, agar, cellulose), only recently have biomasses been recognized as an abundant source of chemically diverse macromolecules for functional aerogel materials. Biopolymer aerogels (pectin, alginate, chitosan, cellulose, etc.) exhibit both specific inheritable functions of starting biopolymers and distinctive features of aerogels (80-99% porosity and specific surface up to 800 m2/g). This synergy of properties makes biopolymer aerogels promising candidates for a wide gamut of applications such as thermal insulation, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, drug delivery systems, functional foods, catalysts, adsorbents and sensors. This work demonstrates the use of pressurized carbon dioxide (5 MPa) for the ionic cross linking of amidated pectin into hydrogels. Initially a biopolymer/salt dispersion is prepared in water. Under pressurized CO2 conditions, the pH of the biopolymer solution is lowered to 3 which releases the crosslinking cations from the salt to bind with the biopolymer yielding hydrogels. Solvent exchange to ethanol and further supercritical CO2 drying (10 - 12 MPa) yield aerogels. Obtained aerogels are ultra-porous with low density (as low as 0.02 g/cm3), high specific surface area (350 - 500 m2/g) and pore volume (3 - 7 cm3/g for pore sizes less than 150 nm).

A new way for the production of biopolymer-based aerogels by carbon dioxide (CO2) induced gelation is shown. The technique utilizes pressurized carbon dioxide (5 MPa) for the production of biopolymer hydrogels and supercritical CO2 (12 MPa) to convert gels into aerogels. The only solvents needed besides CO2 are water and ethanol.

Although the first reports on aerogels made by Kistler1 in the 1930s dealt with aerogels from both inorganic oxides (silica and others) and biopolymers ...

A Novel Technique for Raman Analysis of Highly Radioactive Samples Using Any Standard Micro-Raman Spectrometer

A novel approach for the Raman measurement of nuclear materials is reported in this paper. It consists of the enclosure of the radioactive sample in a tight capsule that isolates the material from the atmosphere. The capsule can optionally be filled with a chosen gas pressurized up to 20 bars. The micro-Raman measurement is performed through an optical-grade quartz window. This technique permits accurate Raman measurements with no need for the spectrometer to be enclosed in an alpha-tight containment. It therefore allows the use of all options of the Raman spectrometer, like multi-wavelength laser excitation, different polarizations, and single or triple spectrometer modes. Some examples of measurements are shown and discussed. First, some spectral features of a highly radioactive americium oxide sample (AmO2) are presented. Then, we report the Raman spectra of neptunium oxide (NpO2) samples, the interpretation of which is greatly improved by employing three different excitation wavelengths, 17O doping, and a triple mode configuration to measure the anti-stokes Raman lines. This last feature also allows the estimation of the sample surface temperature. Finally, data that were measured on a sample from Chernobyl lava, where phases are identified by Raman mapping, are shown.

We present a technique for Raman spectroscopic analysis of highly radioactive samples compatible with any standard micro-Raman spectrometer, without any radioactive contamination of the instrument. We also show some applications using actinide compounds and irradiated fuel materials.

A novel approach for the Raman measurement of nuclear materials is reported in this paper. It consists of the enclosure of the radioactive sample in a ...

Raman and IR Spectroelectrochemical Methods as Tools to Analyze Conjugated Organic Compounds

In the presented work, two spectroelectrochemical techniques are discussed as tools for the analysis of the structural changes occurring in the molecule on the vibrational level of energy. Raman and IR spectroelectrochemistry can be used for advanced characterization of the structural changes in the organic electroactive compounds. Here, the step-by-step analysis by means of Raman and IR spectroelectrochemistry is shown. Raman and IR spectroelectrochemical techniques provide complementary information about structural changes occurring during an electrochemical process, i.e. allows for the investigation of redox processes and their products. The examples of IR and Raman spectroelectrochemical analysis are presented, in which the products of the redox reactions, both in solution and solid state, are identified.

A protocol of step-by-step Raman and IR spectroelectrochemical analysis is presented.

In the presented work, two spectroelectrochemical techniques are discussed as tools for the analysis of the structural changes occurring in the molecule ...

DNA-magnetic Particle Binding Analysis by Dynamic and Electrophoretic Light Scattering

Isolation of DNA using magnetic particles is a field of high importance in biotechnology and molecular biology research. This protocol describes the evaluation of DNA-magnetic particles binding via dynamic light scattering (DLS) and electrophoretic light scattering (ELS). Analysis by DLS provides valuable information on the physicochemical properties of particles including particle size, polydispersity, and zeta potential. The latter describes the surface charge of the particle which plays major role in electrostatic binding of materials such as DNA. Here, a comparative analysis exploits three chemical modifications of nanoparticles and microparticles and their effects on DNA binding and elution. Chemical modifications by branched polyethylenimine, tetraethyl orthosilicate and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane are investigated. Since DNA exhibits a negative charge, it is expected that zeta potential of particle surface will decrease upon binding of DNA. Forming of clusters should also affect particle size. In order to investigate the efficiency of these particles in isolation and elution of DNA, the particles are mixed with DNA in low pH (~6), high ionic strength and dehydration environment. Particles are washed on magnet and then DNA is eluted by Tris-HCl buffer (pH = 8). DNA copy number is estimated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Zeta potential, particle size, polydispersity and quantitative PCR data are evaluated and compared. DLS is an insightful and supporting method of analysis that adds a new perspective to the process of screening of particles for DNA isolation.

This protocol describes the synthesis of magnetic particles and evaluation of their DNA-binding properties via dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering. This method focuses on monitoring changes in particle size, their polydispersity and zeta potential of particle surface which play major role in binding of materials such as DNA.

Isolation of DNA using magnetic particles is a field of high importance in biotechnology and molecular biology research. This protocol describes the ...

Application of Voltage in Dynamic Light Scattering Particle Size Analysis

Dynamic light scattering (DLS) is a common method for characterizing the size distribution of polymers, proteins, and other nano- and microparticles. Modern instrumentation permits measurement of particle size as a function of time and/or temperature, but currently there is no simple method for performing DLS particle size distribution measurements in the presence of applied voltage. The ability to perform such measurements would be useful in the development of electroactive, stimuli-responsive polymers for applications such as sensing, soft robotics, and energy storage. Here, a technique using applied voltage coupled with DLS and a temperature ramp to observe changes in aggregation and particle size in thermoresponsive polymers with and without electroactive monomers is presented. The changes in aggregation behavior observed in these experiments were only possible through the combined application of voltage and temperature control. To obtain these results, a potentiostat was connected to a modified cuvette in order to apply voltage to a solution. Changes in polymer particle size were monitored using DLS in the presence of constant voltage. Simultaneously, current data were produced, which could be compared with particle size data, to understand the relationship between current and particle behavior. The polymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) served as a test polymer for this technique, as pNIPAM's response to temperature is well-studied. Changes in the lower-critical solution temperature (LCST) aggregation behavior of pNIPAM and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-block-poly(ferrocenylmethyl methacrylate), an electrochemically active block-copolymer, in the presence of applied voltage are observed. Understanding the mechanisms behind such changes will be important when trying to achieve reversible polymer structures in the presence of applied voltage.

Here, a protocol to apply voltage to solution during dynamic light scattering particle size measurements with the intent to explore the effect of voltage and temperature changes on polymer aggregation is presented.

Dynamic light scattering (DLS) is a common method for characterizing the size distribution of polymers, proteins, and other nano- and microparticles. ...

Preparation of Nanoparticles for ToF-SIMS and XPS Analysis

Nanoparticles have gained increasing attention in recent years due to their potential and application in different fields including medicine, cosmetics, chemistry, and their potential to enable advanced materials. To effectively understand and regulate the physico-chemical properties and potential adverse effects of nanoparticles, validated measurement procedures for the various properties of nanoparticles need to be developed. While procedures for measuring nanoparticle size and size distribution are already established, standardized methods for analysis of their surface chemistry are not yet in place, although the influence of the surface chemistry on nanoparticle properties is undisputed. In particular, storage and preparation of nanoparticles for surface analysis strongly influences the analytical results from various methods, and in order to obtain consistent results, sample preparation must be both optimized and standardized. In this contribution, we present, in detail, some standard procedures for preparing nanoparticles for surface analytics. In principle, nanoparticles can be deposited on a suitable substrate from suspension or as a powder. Silicon (Si) wafers are commonly used as substrate, however, their cleaning is critical to the process. For sample preparation from suspension, we will discuss drop-casting and spin-coating, where not only the cleanliness of the substrate and purity of the suspension but also its concentration play important roles for the success of the preparation methodology. For nanoparticles with sensitive ligand shells or coatings, deposition as powders is more suitable, although this method requires particular care in fixing the sample.

A number of different procedures for preparing nanoparticles for surface analysis are presented (drop casting, spin coating, deposition from powders, and cryofixation). We discuss the challenges, opportunities, and possible applications of each method, particularly regarding the changes in the surface properties caused by the different preparation methods.

Nanoparticles have gained increasing attention in recent years due to their potential and application in different fields including medicine, cosmetics, ...

Neutron Crystallography Data Collection and Processing for Modelling Hydrogen Atoms in Protein Structures

Neutron crystallography is a structural technique that allows determination of hydrogen atom positions within biological macromolecules, yielding mechanistically important information about protonation and hydration states while not inducing radiation damage. X-ray diffraction, in contrast, provides only limited information on the position of light atoms and the X-ray beam&#160;rapidly induces radiation damage of photosensitive&#160;cofactors and metal centers. Presented here is the workflow employed for the IMAGINE and MaNDi beamlines at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to obtain a neutron diffraction structure once a protein crystal of suitable size (&#62; 0.1 mm3) has been grown. We demonstrate mounting of hydrogenated protein&#160;crystals in quartz capillaries for neutron diffraction data collection. Also presented is the vapor exchange process of the mounted crystals with D2O-containing buffer to ensure replacement of hydrogen atoms at exchangeable sites with deuterium. The incorporation of deuterium reduces the background arising from the incoherent scattering of hydrogen atoms and prevents density cancellation caused by their negative coherent scattering length. Sample alignment and room temperature data collection strategies are illustrated using quasi-Laue data collection at IMAGINE at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR). Furthermore, crystal mounting and rapid freezing in liquid nitrogen for cryo-data collection to trap labile reaction intermediates is demonstrated at the MaNDi time-of-flight instrument at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS). Preparation of the model coordinate and diffraction data files and visualization of the neutron scattering length density (SLD) maps will also be addressed. Structure refinement against neutron data-only or against joint X-ray/neutron data to obtain an all-atom structure of the protein of interest will finally be discussed. The process of determining a neutron structure will be demonstrated using crystals of the lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase Neurospora crassa LPMO9D, a copper-containing metalloprotein involved in the degradation of recalcitrant polysaccharides via oxidative cleavage of the glycosidic bond.

Neutron protein crystallography is a structural technique that permits the localization of hydrogen atoms, thereby providing important mechanistic details of protein function. We present here the workflow for mounting a protein crystal, neutron diffraction data collection, structure refinement and analysis of the neutron scattering length density maps.

Neutron crystallography is a structural technique that allows determination of hydrogen atom positions within biological macromolecules, yielding ...

Direct Comparison of Hyperspectral Stimulated Raman Scattering and Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Microscopy for Chemical Imaging

Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy are the most widely used coherent Raman scattering imaging technologies. Hyperspectral SRS and CARS imaging offer Raman spectral information at every pixel, which enables better separation of different chemical compositions. Although both techniques require two excitation lasers, their signal detection schemes and spectral properties are quite different. The goal of this protocol is to perform both hyperspectral SRS and CARS imaging on a single platform and compare the two microscopy techniques for imaging different biological samples. The spectral focusing method is employed to acquire spectral information using femtosecond lasers. By using standard chemical samples, the sensitivity, spatial resolution, and spectral resolution of SRS and CARS in the same excitation conditions (i.e., power at the sample, pixel dwell time, objective lens, pulse energy) are compared. The imaging contrasts of CARS and SRS for biological samples are juxtaposed and compared. The direct comparison of CARS and SRS performances would allow for optimal selection of the modality for chemical imaging.

This paper directly compares the resolution, sensitivity, and imaging contrasts of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) integrated into the same microscope platform. The results show that CARS has a better spatial resolution, SRS gives better contrasts and spectral resolution, and both methods have similar sensitivity.

Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy are the most widely used coherent Raman scattering imaging ...

?Analyzing the Heterogeneous Performance of Single Nanoparticles with Electrochemical Methods

Tracking Electrochemistry on Single Nanoparticles with Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Spectroscopy and Microscopy

Studying electrochemical reactions on single nanoparticles is important to understand the heterogeneous performance of individual nanoparticles. This nanoscale heterogeneity remains hidden during the ensemble-averaged characterization of nanoparticles. Electrochemical techniques have been developed to measure currents from single nanoparticles but do not provide information about the structure and identity of the molecules that undergo reactions at the electrode surface. Optical techniques such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) microscopy and spectroscopy can detect electrochemical events on individual nanoparticles while simultaneously providing information on the vibrational modes of electrode surface species. In this paper, a protocol to track the electrochemical oxidation-reduction of Nile Blue (NB) on single Ag nanoparticles using SERS microscopy and spectroscopy is demonstrated. First, a detailed protocol for fabricating Ag nanoparticles on a smooth and semi-transparent Ag film is described. A dipolar plasmon mode aligned along the optical axis is formed between a single Ag nanoparticle and Ag film. The SERS emission from NB fixed between the nanoparticle and the film is coupled into the plasmon mode, and the high-angle emission is collected by a microscope objective to form a donut-shaped emission pattern. These donut-shaped SERS emission patterns allow for the unambiguous identification of single nanoparticles on the substrate, from which the SERS spectra can be collected. In this work, a method for employing the SERS substrate as a working electrode in an electrochemical cell compatible with an inverted optical microscope is provided. Finally, tracking the electrochemical oxidation-reduction of NB molecules on an individual Ag nanoparticle is shown. The setup and the protocol described here can be modified to study various electrochemical reactions on individual nanoparticles.

Author Spotlight: Tracking Electrochemistry on Single Nanoparticles with Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Spectroscopy and Microscopy  

The protocol describes how to monitor electrochemical events on single nanoparticles using surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy and imaging.

Studying electrochemical reactions on single nanoparticles is important to understand the heterogeneous performance of individual nanoparticles. This ...