Patent Application
20230092693
Embodiments of the inventive concept described herein relate to a nanostructure-based substrate for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and a method for manufacturing the same.
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), which is a non-destructive analysis, is a technology of identifying chemical components through spectra for molecular-specific vibration energy modes without the influence of ambient moisture.
According to the Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, the detection of a single molecule signal may be maximized, and minimize the interference between markers without the influence by the distinction, thereby enabling high-sensitivity analysis with accuracy of the test.
Accordingly, the Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy has recently been used for analysis in various fields, such as the diagnosis of targets controlled by antigen-antibody, medical bio, agriculture, and environment. Accordingly, the Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy is highly applicable to a next-generation high-sensitivity diagnosis and analysis device.
However, the conventional nanoparticle surface-enhanced technology has a limitation in that only antigen-antibody controlled targets are diagnosed. A nanowire-based substrate for surface enhancement has the form in which a nanowire is laid down and spread on a substrate to make many pores, such that the substrate becomes weak.
In addition, a pattern or an etched part based on a top-down scheme through a conventional lithography process has a limitation in size. Accordingly, a region for forming a hot spot may be reduced.
Embodiments of the inventive concept provide a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate capable of accurately diagnosing markers having various sizes and various types in a sample.
In addition, embodiments of the inventive concept provide a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate, in which even a large number of samples can be rapidly analyzed and diagnosed.
The objects of the inventive concept are not limited to the above, but other effects, which are not mentioned, will be apparently understood to those skilled in the art.
According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, a method for manufacturing a nanostructure-based substrate for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, includes preparing a substrate, depositing a zinc oxide (ZnO) seed layer on the substrate, growing a zinc oxide nanostructure through a synthesis manner of applying a zinc (Zn) solution to the zinc oxide (ZnO) seed layer, and coating the grown nanostructure with metal.
According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, a nanostructure-based substrate for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy may include a substrate, a zinc oxide nanostructure grown through a synthesis manner of applying a zinc (Zn) solution to a zinc oxide (ZnO) seed layer, after depositing the zinc oxide (ZnO) seed layer on the substrate, and metal coated on the nanostructure.
Details of the inventive concept are included in the detailed description and drawings.
The above and other objects and features will become apparent from the following description with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified, and wherein:
The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the inventive concept will become apparent from embodiments to be described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The inventive concept, however, may be embodied in various different forms, and should not be construed as being limited only to the illustrated embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are provided as examples so that the inventive concept will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. The inventive concept may be defined by the scope of the claims.
The terms used herein are provided to describe embodiments, not intended to limit the inventive concept. In the specification, the singular forms include plural forms unless particularly mentioned. The terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” used herein do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, in addition to the aforementioned components. The same reference numerals denote the same components throughout the specification. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes each of the associated components and all combinations of one or more of the associated components. It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, etc., may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component. Accordingly, a first component that is discussed below could be termed a second component without departing from the technical idea of the inventive concept.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the inventive concept pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
In the present specification, the term “substrate” refers to a substrate basically formed to grow a nanostructure.
In the present specification, the term “substrate (or surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate) for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy” refers to one array having a nanostructure grown thereon, capable of recognizing a Raman signal enhanced, when the nanostructure is grown on the substrate, metal coating is performed, and a sample is injected.
In the present specification, the term “multi-sample measurement chip” refers to a measurement chip including a plurality of arrays formed, as a plurality of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrates are combined with each other.
In the present specification, the term “nanostructure” refers to a nanostructure having the diameter in nanosize, and may include a nanowire, a naotube, or a nanorod.
Referring to
Raman analysis is a useful measurement technique in detecting chemical species of a sample. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an analysis technique of using a rapid increase in Raman signal strength of molecules adsorbed on a rough metal surface or nanostructure surface, and of making it easy to measure a low concentration of samples by overcoming the low detection sensitivity of a conventional Raman manner technique.
In addition, the most important part of the SERS is a substrate in a metal nanostructure, which has a feature that the degree of amplification of the Raman signal is significantly varied depending on the shape and structure of the substrate.
The inventive concept proposes a method for the shape and structure of the substrate differently produced depending on the characteristics of a specific measurement sample. According to the inventive concept, a feature capable of amplifying a signal of a biomarker to be measured in a measurement sample is DT.
In the step of preparing the substrate (S110), the substrate includes at least one of silicon, glass, PET, and an overhead projection (OHP) film.
In general, to form the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate, a nanostructure should be grown at a higher temperature. Various manners are employed to grow the nanostructure, and the nanostructure is grown in the range of a lower temperature of 150° C. to a higher temperature of 600° C. In this case, since the higher growth temperature is provided, a substrate, which is not deformed even in the range of 150° C. to 600° C., should be used.
However although a substrate according to the inventive concept is not appropriate to use at a higher temperature, the substrate may be employed according to the inventive concept, because a nanostructure is grown at a lower temperature (for example, approximately 80° C. etc.) in which the substrate is not deformed according to the inventive concept. A zinc oxide nanostructure may be grown at a lower temperature. Accordingly, the zinc oxide nanostructure is employed for low temperature growth according to the inventive concept. Hereinafter, a manner for utilizing the substrate to manufacture the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate of the inventive concept will be described in detail.
When the step of depositing a zinc oxide (ZnO) seed layer on the substrate is performed (S130), it may be recognized that the seed layer is deposited on the substrate as illustrated in
Thereafter, when the step of growing the zinc oxide nanostructure (S150) is performed, it may be recognized that the nanostructure is grown on the substrate as illustrated in
The step of growing the zinc oxide nanostructure (S150) is to grow the zinc oxide nanostructure through a synthesis manner of applying a zinc (Zn) solution to the seed layer. The synthesis manner of applying the zinc (Zn) solution may be performed through a hydrothermal synthesis manner or the like.
According to an embodiment, the step of growing the zinc oxide nanostructure (S150) is to adjust at least one of the spacing between nanostructures and the growing direction of the nanostructure by using at least one of a temperature adjusting manner and a zinc-based solution surface treatment manner, depending on the characteristic of a sample to be measured.
The inventive concept is to manufacture a substrate for measuring a solution sample, and mainly includes obtaining information from a biometric sample. The biometric sample, which is a solution sample measured on the substrate according to the inventive concept, includes all forms, such as tears, blood, urine, feces, sweat, and saliva, which contribute to the byproducts and metabolism of a living creature, and may provide a basis for diagnosis by measuring a biomarker and a reagent treatment result present in the biometric sample. The biomarker includes a cell (in several tens gill, a red blood cell (in 8 μm), bacteria (in 1 μm), exosomes (in the range of several nm to several tens nm), and proteins, according to sizes.
Accordingly, the nanostructure-based substrate for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy having nanometer spacing according to the inventive concept may be used to measure a nano-sized biomaterial, such as a protein, a lipid, a nucleic acid, an exosome, and a metabolic substance.
Bio-particles may have a hot spot in the spacing between nanostructures and the structure of the nanostructure on the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate, depending on the characteristic of the bio-particles, which include the size of the bio-particles. Accordingly, the bio-particles should be measured by manufacturing the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate, based on the characteristic of the bio-particles to be measured.
According to an embodiment, when the nanostructure is grown by adjusting a temperature, the spacing between the nanostructures grown by adjusting the temperature is adjusted. As described above, the nanostructure may be grown, as the spacing of the nanostructures is adjusted by adjusting the temperature, in match with the spacing of particles to be enhanced in the solution sample to be measured.
In this case, although the nanostructure is produced depending on the position of the deposited seed layer, the thickness of the nanostructure is adjusted by adjusting the temperature, thereby adjusting the spacing between the nanostructures.
According to an embodiment, when the zinc-based solution surface treatment is used in growing the nanostructure, the growing direction of the nanostructure is adjusted.
In addition, according to an embodiment, the nanostructures may be grown to be different in at least one of the spacing between the nanostructures and the growing direction of the nanostructure inside one substrate.
The wording “the nanostructures grown to be different in one substrate” refers to that the nanostructure is grown to be different in the unit of an array. In addition, the wording “the nanostructures grown to be different in one substrate” refers to including that nanostructures are grown at equal spacing and in the same direction in the unit of a row and/or column, that nanostructures are grown to be different in the unit of a row, or in the unit of a column inside the substrate, or that the nanostructures are grown to be different in at least one of spacing or the growing direction, in the same row or the same row.
Referring to
As described above, a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate is formed to be optimized for a specific sample, thereby maximizing a surface enhancement effect for a marker having a target size.
Meanwhile, the step of coating with a metal (S170) is to coat a nanostructure, which is grown in the step of growing the nanostructure (S150), with a metal
In this case, the metal may include any one of Ag, Al, Au, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Ni, Pd, Pt, Rh, Ru, and the alloy thereof.
The process of coating the nanostructure with the metal may employ a sputtering manner, an evaporation manner, or a solution synthesis manner. According to the process of coating the nanostructure with the metal, when measuring a sample, a Raman signal strength of molecules adsorbed on the surface of the metal or the surface of the nanostructure may be rapidly increased, which makes it easy to measure a lower concentration of sample.
When a nano-sized gap between metal grains produced through the metal coating process is formed, as a hot spot region, in which a Raman signal is rapidly increased, is generated. Accordingly, the sample may be measured based on the relevant signal.
Although not additionally illustrated, the method for manufacturing the nanostructure-based substrate for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy further includes the step of performing a selective etching process after performing a lithography process for the substrate by utilizing a polymer film having a specific pattern printed thereon as a mask, after the step of preparing the substrate (S110) and before the step of depositing the zinc oxide seed layer on the substrate (S130). In this case, the step of depositing the zinc oxide seed layer on the substrate (S130) is to deposit a zinc oxide seed layer on the etched region.
According to another embodiment, in the step of preparing the substrate (S110) in the method for manufacturing the nanostructure-based substrate for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, the substrate is a printing film. In addition, the step of preparing the substrate (S110) is to form a specific pattern by printing at least one of wax and a hydrophobic material on the substrate.
Each of
In other words, the pattern is formed to control the diffusion direction of a liquid sample from a sample inlet to an inner part of a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate. As
When the diffusion direction of the liquid sample is controlled through the pattern, the liquid sample may easily reach the position at which the Raman signal is acquired.
A printing-based pattern may be easily formed with respect to a polymer film including a flexible material such as PET or an OHP film described above. Accordingly, it is preferred that the polymer film is utilized to form the printing-based pattern. However, the flexible substrate is weak in heat resistance. Accordingly, the substrate may be deformed in the typical temperature range of 150° C. to 500° C. for growing nanostructure. Accordingly, according to the inventive concept, a flexible substrate is manufactured based on a zinc oxide nanostructure which is able to be grown based on a liquid at a lower temperature at which the flexible substrate is not deformed.
In other words, according to the inventive concept, as the zinc oxide nanostructure, which is able to be grown at a lower temperature, is introduced as a basic structure, the flexible substrate easily printed may be utilized. The utilizing of the flexible substrate makes the sample easily reach the position for acquiring the Raman signal. Accordingly, the Raman signal may be exactly acquired with respect to the size and the characteristic of a marker to be acquired from a specific sample.
In addition, a plurality of arrays may be merged into one as illustrated in
Referring to
In the step of combining and disposing at least one surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate (S190), at least one surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate manufactured through the method to the step of coating with metal is combined and disposed. At least one surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate may be combined by considering the number of substrates required for efficiency and a test. For example, as illustrated in
As described above, when the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrates having pores in mutually different sizes are combined, nanobiomarkers having various sizes may be analyzed by dropping a sample once.
In addition, the time for Raman measurement may be reduced and a measuring point may be ensured and set within a shorter period of time, due to at least one surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate having patterns in mutually different shapes
In the step of manufacturing in form of a multi-sample measurement chip (S210), a sample inlet of each surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate is at a preset distance or more from the substrate, is formed to be in a preset size or more, and is disposed, such that the multi-sample measurement chip is formed.
A sample is injected through a sample inlet 20, which is separately disposed as described above and has a specific size or more, instead of being directly injected. This is because a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate 10 to measure the sample is reduced in size, as the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate 10 mainly uses a smaller amount of sample, such as tear, blood, and urine. When the size of the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate 10 is significantly reduced, care should be taken to prevent the sample from being incorrectly injected, when injecting the sample. However, according to the inventive concept, when the sample inlet 20 is separately formed to be in a specific size or more, the sample may be more easily injected.
In addition, when the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate 10 in a smaller size is individually manufactured one by one, the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate may be missed or lost. Accordingly, the at least one surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate 10 is combined, and the whole size of the multi-sample measurement chip is not small, such that the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate is prevented from being missed or lost.
In this case, for the multi-sample measurement chip, samples need to be more delicately injected in the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrates 10, respectively. Accordingly, separate sample inlets 20 spaced apart from the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate 10 by a specific distance or more and having a specific size or more may be more usefully used.
In other words, according to the inventive concept, the multi-sample measurement chip is manufactured such that the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrates 10 are densely provided and the sample inlets 20 are more widely distributed to easily supply samples.
As illustrated in
In the manner for moving the liquid sample from the sample inlet 20 to the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate 10 in the multi-sample measurement chip, a preset slope is formed from the sample inlet 20 to the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate 10 as illustrated in
In addition to the method for moving the liquid sample, various manners may be provided to allow the liquid sample to reach the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate 10 from the sample inlet 20.
Referring to
In this case, the nanostructure is grown by adjusting at least one of the spacing between the nanostructures and the growing direction of the nanostructure depending on the characteristics of the sample to be measured.
The spacing between the nanostructures is adjusted by adjusting the temperature when the nanostructure is grown. The growing direction of the nanostructure may be adjusted through zinc-based solution surface treatment.
The substrate used in the inventive concept includes at least one of silicon, glass, PET, and an OHP film, and the reason why the substrate is used is to perform patterning to control the diffusion direction of a liquid sample.
Since the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate according to the inventive concept is identically applied as described with reference to
Although an embodiment of the inventive concept are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art to which the inventive concept pertains that the inventive concept can be carried out in other detailed forms without changing the scope and spirit or the essential features of the inventive concept. Therefore, the embodiments described above are provided by way of example in all aspects, and should be construed not to be restrictive.
According to the present invention, a nanostructure-based substrate for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and a method for manufacturing the same have following effects.
First, a specific nanometer marker in a liquid sample is selectively measured, and the surface enhancement effect on the marker is maximized.
Second, a diffusion direction of a sample drop is controlled by utilizing a substrate which is patterned, such that a position for acquiring a Raman signal may be easily detected inside the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate.
Third, lower-temperature growth may be performed. Accordingly, the nanostructure may be grown without deforming the flexible substrate allowing pattern printing.
Fourth, marks having various sizes may be analyzed through one sample drop.
The effects of the inventive concept are not limited to the above, but other effects, which are not mentioned, will be apparently understood to those skilled in the art.
While the inventive concept has been described with reference to embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments are not limiting, but illustrative.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2020-0073275 | Jun 2020 | KR | national |
The present application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2021/005586, filed on May 4, 2021, which is based upon and claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0073275 filed on Jun. 16, 2020. The disclosures of the above-listed applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/KR2021/005586 | May 2021 | US |
| Child | 18058956 | US |
