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.