Scratching of metallized polymer films by Vickers indenter as a method for controlled production of SERS-active metasurfaces

• Published in: Journal of luminescence 2024-11, Vol.275, p.120803, Article 120803
• Main Authors: Kovalets, N.P., Kozhina, E.P., Razumovskaya, I.V., Arzhanov, A.I., Naumov, А.V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atomic force microscopy; Metallized surface; Microcracks; Microscratches; SERS; Vickers indenter
• ISSN: 0022-2313
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jlumin.2024.120803

The opportunities of a system of parallel microscratches drowed on a PET film metallized with silver and copper using a Vickers indenter as an active Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) or Photoluminescence-enhanced surface have been investigated. It is shown that the enhancement of the SERS signal for rhodomine is proportional to the total length of microscratches in the laser spot and increases after their application due to the relaxation of the polymer backing. The results of the microscratch geometry analysis by an atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy methods indicate the probability of the location of “hot points” along the “dumps” of metal along the shores of scratches, as well as on nanoroughnesses along their inner walls. © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. [Display omitted] •The system of microscratches on a metallized polymer substrate serves as a controlled SERS metasurface.•Relaxation of the polymer material leads to the enhancement of the SERS signal over time.•SERS signal enhancement is proportional to the total length of scratches within the laser spot.