Surface-enhanced Raman scattering plasmonic enhancement using DNA origami-based complex metallic nanostructures.

DNA origami is a novel self-assembly technique allowing one to form various two-dimensional shapes and position matter with nanometer accuracy. We use DNA origami templates to engineer surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrates. Specifically, gold nanoparticles were selectively placed on the corners of rectangular origami and subsequently enlarged via solution-based metal deposition. The resulting assemblies exhibit “hot spots” of enhanced electromagnetic field between the nanoparticles. We observed a significant Raman signal enhancement from molecules covalently attached to the assemblies, as compared to control nanoparticle samples that lack interparticle hot spots. Furthermore, Raman molecules are used to map out the hot spots’ distribution, as they are burned when experiencing a threshold electric field. Our method opens up the prospects of using DNA origami to rationally engineer and assemble plasmonic structures for molecular spectroscopy.