2D sandwich sees molecules with clarity

Scientists at Rice University have shown that a two-dimensional Janus compound could be an effective and universal platform for improving the detection of biomolecules via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Using glucose to test the material proved its ability to boost its Raman enhancement factor by more than 100,000 times, which the researchers say is comparable to the highest-reported enhancement factor for 2D substrates. SERS is an established technique that enables the detection and identification of small concentrations of molecules that get close to or adsorbed by metallic surfaces, including nanoparticles.