Research Task 5 Development of active sensor surfaces for Raman spectroscopy.

PhD position. Supervisors: Dr Heinz-Detlef Kronfeldt. Host: TUB

Due to their fingerprinting spectra, SERS allows for a direct detection of trace organic components in sea water^(1,2,3). The quantification of PAH has been shown to be feasible with sol-gel derived SERS substrates down to the nmol/l range^(4,5). However, the techniques of fabricating SERS substrates needs to be improved regarding long-term stability and reproducibility. Hence, this project focuses on design, manufacture and physico-chemical characterization of the SERS interfaces for in-situ sensors to address PAHs and other organic trace pollutants in water and seawater. Emphasis is put on high sensitivity in terms of signal amplification and/or analyte enrichment on the surface as well as long-term stability for monitoring purposes. Nanostructuring and specific coatings will help achieving this⁽⁶⁾. The substrates are designed for the existing prototype in situ instrumentation that will be deployed in cooperation with Ifremer.

⁽¹⁾ Murphy et al., 1999. Appl. Phys. B., 69: 147-150. ⁽²⁾ Murphy et al., 2000. J. Raman Spec. 31: 943-948. ⁽³⁾ Lucht et al., 2000.  J. Raman Spec. 31: 943-948. ⁽⁴⁾ Nguyen, T. B. H. 2004. PhD, TU Berlin. ⁽⁵⁾ Schmidt, et al. Mar. Poll. Bull., 49,229-234, 2004. ⁽⁶⁾ Blázquez Sánchez et al. 2006. Proc. SPIE 6099: 8-17.