Cucurbit[n]uril-engineered Nano-constructs for Molecular Sensing
type: CreativeWork
description: Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy is a powerful analytical technique for ultrasensitive detection of chemicals and biomolecules. As the high sensitivity of SERS requires analytes to be in close contact with a plasmonic substrate, the detectionof analyte molecules with low chemical affinity towards the substrate is thus limited. Cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) exhibits strong and selective encapsulation of various guest molecules into its barrel-shaped cavity. In addition, it can function as a precise rigid spacer between metallic nanoparticles (NPs). The larger homologue CB[8] can simultaneously sequester two guest molecules to form ternary complexes, allowing for tailoring of the chemical environment of its cavity to trap specific analytes. CB[n] aggregated metallic NPs provide a powerful platform for the detection of a wide variety of molecules. However, the colloidal instability of this system requires the measurement to be finished within 60 min after the preparation of the substrate. In addition, in situ measurements may involve environments that affect such self-assembly processes. For example, the possible displacement of analytes in the nanogap by non-analyte moieties can give rise to fluctuating backgrounds. Therefore, a SERS substrate that can provide the same levels of detection and functionality but eliminates the need for aggregation is of great demand. This thesis mainly focuses on the preparation and characterisation of CB[n]-engineered nanostructures as SERS substrates with great colloidal stability, high SERS enhancements and sensitivities. Other applications of the prepared nanostructures such as peptide separation and high-performance catalysis are also discussed. In the first chapter, the historical development and the remaining challenges in the field of SERS are discussed. Three types of the most commonly used SERS substrates are introduced, followed by the introduction of rationally designed nanoplatforms for molecules with low che…
abstract: Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy is a powerful analytical technique for ultrasensitive detection of chemicals and biomolecules. As the high sensitivity of SERS requires analytes to be in close contact with a plasmonic substrate, the detectionof analyte molecules with low chemical affinity towards the substrate is thus limited. Cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) exhibits strong and selective encapsulation of various guest molecules into its barrel-shaped cavity. In addition, it can function as a precise rigid spacer between metallic nanoparticles (NPs). The larger homologue CB[8] can simultaneously sequester two guest molecules to form ternary complexes, allowing for tailoring of the chemical environment of its cavity to trap specific analytes. CB[n] aggregated metallic NPs provide a powerful platform for the detection of a wide variety of molecules. However, the colloidal instability of this system requires the measurement to be finished within 60 min after the preparation of the substrate. In addition, in situ measurements may involve environments that affect such self-assembly processes. For example, the possible displacement of analytes in the nanogap by non-analyte moieties can give rise to fluctuating backgrounds. Therefore, a SERS substrate that can provide the same levels of detection and functionality but eliminates the need for aggregation is of great demand. This thesis mainly focuses on the preparation and characterisation of CB[n]-engineered nanostructures as SERS substrates with great colloidal stability, high SERS enhancements and sensitivities. Other applications of the prepared nanostructures such as peptide separation and high-performance catalysis are also discussed. In the first chapter, the historical development and the remaining challenges in the field of SERS are discussed. Three types of the most commonly used SERS substrates are introduced, followed by the introduction of rationally designed nanoplatforms for molecules with low che…
author: Ren, Xiaohe
language: en
keywords: SERS sensing, supramolecular chemistry, functionalised nanostructures
license: https://apollo8-f-pro.lib.cam.ac.uk/bitstreams/b177b2e2-0120-49f6-8749-4b7d3fc5a763/download
license: https://www.rioxx.net/licenses/all-rights-reserved/
date published: 2019-01-31
date modified: 2026-07-22T22:24:21Z
provider: Cambridge University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Cambridge

PropertyValue
property ID: DOI
value: 10.17863/CAM.35255