Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical molecular sensor, as well as methods and uses for such sensors in optical and medical devices. The sensor is based on traditionally inactive, limited or a combination thereof, materials that are regarded as such within surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The disclosed invention essentially includes the said material or materials as the substrate, micro-pattern features developed from the substrate, and a three-dimensional (3D) architecture of nanoparticle fibers that generally surround and envelop the micro-pattern features. The nanoparticle fibers are specifically designed to have a desirable 3D network depth and porosity, as well as nanoparticle average diameter, standard deviation, and nanoparticle separation (i.e. nanogap), as well as nanoparticle crystal phase composition, stoichiometry, and crystallinity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical molecular sensor, as well as methods and uses for such sensors in optical and medical devices. The sensor is based on traditionally inactive, limited or a combination thereof, materials that are regarded as such within surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The disclosed invention essentially includes the said material or materials as the substrate, micro-pattern features developed from the substrate, and a three-dimensional (3D) architecture of nanoparticle fibers that generally surround and envelop the micro-pattern features. The nanoparticle fibers are specifically designed to have a desirable 3D network depth and porosity, as well as nanoparticle average diameter, standard deviation, and nanoparticle separation (i.e. nanogap), as well as nanoparticle crystal phase composition, stoichiometry, and crystallinity.