Engineering of hierarchical nano‐convex polymer lattice SERS platforms by template replica‐assisted nanoimprinting

Abstract The precise fabrication of arrays of gold and silver nanodots (Au&Ag_NDs) to create plasmonic lattices on different substrates through cost‐effective, scalable approaches remains challenging. The aim of this research is to engineer a new class of hierarchical plasmonic lattices based on Au&Ag_NDs generated on polymer substrates via template replica‐assisted nanoimprinting. This method harnesses a combination of nanopatterning via anodization, magnetron sputtering, and annealing to generate Au&Ag_NDs hierarchical plasmonic lattices with tunable features at the nanoscale. These plasmonic lattices are explored as ultrasensitive surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) platforms for the detection of a model organic (rhodamine B [RhB]). These reproducible model platforms achieve remarkable enhancement to detect RhB molecules, with a low limit of detection of 10 −8 M. The enhancement field factor of 10 7 indicates that the developed plasmonic lattices are adequate for efficient and highly sensitive SERS detection.