Demirel G. (Yürütücü)
TÜBİTAK Projesi, 2020 - 2022
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a
promising analytical tool providing sensitive, selective and non-destructive
bio-/chemical information, which is highly desirable in several fields such as
medical diagnostic, environmental protection, food safety, and even homeland
security. Unfortunately, the applicability of conventional SERS is rather
problematic because it mainly depends on plasmonic metals or inorganic
semiconductors. Here, we propose a radically different approach to fabricate
sensitive, selective, and reliable SERS platforms using micro-/nano-structured
pi-conjugated organic semiconductor films. With the underlying mechanisms well
understood and controlled, organic semiconductor based SERS might eventually
become a powerful tool in real-life applications.
The proposed research plan is structured in 3
main directions; (1) Exploration of SERS active organic semiconductor films,
(2) Enhancement of organic semiconductor carrier (electron) density by chemical
doping for the possible involvement of the electromagnetic mechanism, (3)
Implementation of (undoped/doped) organic semiconductor films into the
reliable, selective and sensitive detection of model molecular targets. The
ultimate aim of this project will be to design “molecular specific SERS
platforms” without using any Raman reporter or probe molecule.