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Observing Single Molecules Complexing with Cucurbit[7]uril through Nanogap Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Repository DOI


Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Sigle, Daniel O 
Kasera, Setu 
Herrmann, Lars O 
de Nijs, Bart 

Abstract

In recent years, single-molecule sensitivity achievable by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has been widely reported. We use this to investigate supramolecular host-guest chemistry with the macrocyclic host cucurbit[7]uril, on a few-to-single-molecule level. A nanogap geometry, comprising individual gold nanoparticles on a planar gold surface spaced by a single layer of molecules, gives intense SERS signals. Plasmonic coupling between the particle and the surface leads to strongly enhanced optical fields in the gap between them, with single-molecule sensitivity established using a modification of the well-known bianalyte method. Changes in the Raman modes of the host molecule are observed when single guests included inside its cavity internally stretch it. Anisotropic intermolecular interactions with the guest are found which show additional distinct features in the Raman modes of the host molecule.

Description

Keywords

Bridged-Ring Compounds, Gold, Imidazoles, Metal Nanoparticles, Nanotechnology, Spectrum Analysis, Raman, Surface Properties

Journal Title

J Phys Chem Lett

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1948-7185
1948-7185

Volume Title

7

Publisher

American Chemical Society (ACS)
Sponsorship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/L027151/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/G060649/1)
European Research Council (320503)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/K028510/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/H007024/1)
European Research Council (240629)
The authors acknowledge funding from Walters-Kundert Trust, EPSRC (EP/K028510/1, EP/G060649/1, EP/ H007024/1, ERC LINASS 320503), an ERC starting investigator grant (ASPiRe 240629), EU CUBiHOLE grant and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL). S.K. thanks Krebs Memorial Scholarship (The Biochemical Society) and Cambridge Commonwealth Trust for funding.