Cette thèse considère de nouvelles architectures prometteuses des métamatériaux plasmoniques pour biosensing, comprenant: (I) des réseaux périodiques 2D de nanoparticules d'Au, qui peuvent supporter des résonances des réseaux de surface couplées de manière diffractive; (II) Reseaux 3D à base de cristaux plasmoniques du type d'assemblage de bois. Une étude systématique des conditions d'excitation plasmonique, des propriétés et de la sensibilité à l'environnement local dans ces géométries métamatérielles est présentée. On montre que de tels réseaux peuvent combiner une très haute sensibilité spectrale (400 nm / RIU et 2600 nm / RIU, ensemble respectivement) et une sensibilité de phase exceptionnellement élevée (> 105 deg./RIU) et peuvent être utilisés pour améliorer l'état actuel de la technologie de biosensing the-art. Enfin, on propose une méthode de sondage du champ électrique excité par des nanostructures plasmoniques (nanoparticules uniques, dimères). On suppose que cette méthode aidera à concevoir des structures pour SERS (La spectroscopie du type Raman à surface renforcée), qui peut être utilisée comme une chaîne d'information supplémentaire à un biocapteur de transduction optique. / This thesis consideres novel promissing architechtures of plasmonic metamaterial for biosensing, including: (I) 2D periodic arrays of Au nanoparticles, which can support diffractively coupled surface lattice resonances; (II) 3D periodic arrays based on woodpile-assembly plasmonic crystals, which can support novel delocalized plasmonic modes over 3D structure. A systematic study of conditions of plasmon excitation, properties and sensitivity to local environment is presented. It is shown that such arrays can combine very high spectral sensitivity (400nm/RIU and 2600 nm/RIU, respectively) and exceptionally high phase sensitivity (> 105 deg./RIU) and can be used for the improvement of current state-of-the-art biosensing technology. Finally, a method for probing electric field excited by plasmonic nanostructures (single nanoparticles, dimers) is proposed. It is implied that this method will help to design structures for SERS, which will later be used as an additional informational channel for biosensing.

<p>Chromatography is a powerful technique, essential in chemical analyses and preparative separation in industry and research. Many different kinds of chromatographic material are needed, due to the large variety of applications. Detailed methods of characterisation are needed to design new chromatographic materials and understand their properties. In this thesis, confocal Raman spectroscopy and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) have been applied to micrometer-size chromatographic beads, for which these techniques have not been used earlier. New methodology, optimized for use with the chromatographic beads, has been developed and evaluated. </p><p>Confocal spectroscopy has been used to determine distributions of functional groups within single chromatographic beads. This distribution is of great importance in determining the chromatographic properties, since the material is porous and the solute molecules can diffuse inside the beads. Most of the confocal experiments have been performed with Raman spectroscopy; fluorescence spectroscopy, using Nd³⁺ ions or dye-labelled proteins as fluorescence probes, has been used for comparison. </p><p>The concentration of adsorbed analytes is very low within the beads. SERS was therefore used to enhance the Raman signal. SERS-active surfaces were prepared by incorporating gold nano-particles into the interior of the bead. TEM measurements showed that the gold nano-particles could be observed throughout, and it was possible to record analyte spectra from different positions within the bead. Enhanced spectra could be obtained both for small test molecules and for larger bio-molecules, although the spectra for the smaller analytes were much more intense.</p>

Chromatography is a powerful technique, essential in chemical analyses and preparative separation in industry and research. Many different kinds of chromatographic material are needed, due to the large variety of applications. Detailed methods of characterisation are needed to design new chromatographic materials and understand their properties. In this thesis, confocal Raman spectroscopy and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) have been applied to micrometer-size chromatographic beads, for which these techniques have not been used earlier. New methodology, optimized for use with the chromatographic beads, has been developed and evaluated. Confocal spectroscopy has been used to determine distributions of functional groups within single chromatographic beads. This distribution is of great importance in determining the chromatographic properties, since the material is porous and the solute molecules can diffuse inside the beads. Most of the confocal experiments have been performed with Raman spectroscopy; fluorescence spectroscopy, using Nd3+ ions or dye-labelled proteins as fluorescence probes, has been used for comparison. The concentration of adsorbed analytes is very low within the beads. SERS was therefore used to enhance the Raman signal. SERS-active surfaces were prepared by incorporating gold nano-particles into the interior of the bead. TEM measurements showed that the gold nano-particles could be observed throughout, and it was possible to record analyte spectra from different positions within the bead. Enhanced spectra could be obtained both for small test molecules and for larger bio-molecules, although the spectra for the smaller analytes were much more intense.

Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurden die Wechselwirkung von Indium (In) und Magnesium (Mg) als Topelektroden auf zwei Perylen-Derivativen, 3,4,9,10-Perylentetracarbonsäure Dianhydrid (PTCDA) und Dimethyl-3,4,9,10- Perylentetracarbonsäure Diimid (DiMe-PTCDI) untersucht. Die Metal/organische Schichten wurden auf S-passivierten GaAs(100):2x1-Substraten hergestellt und unter Ultrahochvakuum (UHV)-Bedingungens aufgedampft. Als Hauptcharakterisierungsmethode wird die Raman-Spektroskopie eingesetzt, die eine nicht-destruktive Methode ist,und auch in situ Untersuchungen des Wachstumsprozesses ermöglicht. Die experimentell Ergebnisse haben gezeigt, dass alle aufgedampft Metallen auf die organische Schichten von PTCDA und DiMe-PTCDI eine Verstärkung des aktive Raman Signals von interne Schwingungsmoden fördern, begleitet durch die Aktivierung von normalerweise Infrarotaktivemoden. Diesem Phänomen als Oberflächenverstärkte Raman-Spektroskopie (SERS) genannt ist. Das Mg Wachstum auf beiden Molekularstrukturen wurde durch die viel niedrigere Diffusion des Metalls in die organischen Molekülen im Vergleich zum Indium, es war durch die Bewahrung des von externe molekulare Schwingungsmoden nach das Metallswachstum, und in ersten Mal in einem Ramanexperiment beobachtet. Die PTCDA/Mg Strukturen formen sich durch zwei Stufen des Metallwachstum, die erste gehört zu einer neuen molekularen Struktur für eine Mg Schicht dünner als 2.8 nm, wo das PTCDA Molekühl des Sauerstoff-Atoms von die dianhydride Gruppe verliert. Die zweite gehört zu das SERS Spektrum von die vorherige Struktur. Im Fall von Mg/DiMe-PTCDI Heterostrukturen, den Molekühl wird gut bewahrt, wo die Raman Verschiebung an der diimide Gruppe wird nicht modifiziert. Auch von dieser Struktur eine interessante Eigenschaft wurde durch die Kopplung zwischen diskret Moleküleigenschwingungen am 221 cm^-1, 1291 cm^-1 und 1606 cm^-1 des organischen Materials und den elektronischen Kontinuum-Zuständen des Mg-Metallkontakts. Ihre entsprechenden Energieliniengestalten werden gut durch die Breit-Wigner-Fano-Funktion beschrieben. Die Untersuchungen auf dem vorherigen Heterostrukturen half, die Kanalbildung von Pentacen-basierten organische Feldeffekt-Transistoren (OFETs) experimentell zu analysieren, und in ersten Mal in einem Ramanexperiment durchgeführt. Der organische Kanal war gebildet durch die organische Molekularstrahldeposition (OMBD) unter UHV-Bedingungens der Pentacen Moleküle, und es war mit eine Evaporationsrate von ca. 0.65 Å/min aufgedampft. Nach jede Aufdampfung von ca. 0.1 nm des organische Moleküle, den Strom und den Ramansignal in den Kanal wurden in situ gemessen. Die minimale nominelle Dicke des organischen Materials erforderlich für den effizienten Ladungstransport durch den OFET Kanal wurde um ungefähr 1.5 nm nomineller Einschluss oder 1.1 Monolagen (ML) zu sein. Eigenschaften der ersten Monolagen werden gut im Vergleich mit dickeren Schichten definiert, wo die 1.1 ML eine gestrecktes Natur wegen seines direkten Kontakts mit dem Gate-Isolator präsentieren. Es wurde gefunden, dass der leitende organische Kanal bzw. -organische erhöhende Schicht (OBL)- eine Druckdeformierung hat. Dieses Phänomen durch die rote Verschiebung der Ramanbanden beobachtet war. Das Ausgangskennlinienfeld des OFETs wurden nach die letzte aufgedampft organische Schicht gemessen. Es wurde gefunden, dass der Drain-Strom einem Relaxationsprozesse mit zwei Zeitkonstanten hat, wo eine in der Ordnung von 10¹ min ist und die zweite unter 10² min. Ein ähnliches Experiment mit der Beleuchtung des Kanals mit einer 676.4 nm Laserquelle, es erhöht der Drain- Strom und lässt ummodifiziert die Zeitkonstanten. In der Ergänzung, die OFET-Strukturen waren ex situ durch Landungstransientspektroskopie (QTS) unstersucht. Die QTS Spektren zeigten positive und negative Banden zum Gesamtsignal der relaxierte Ladung in Bezug auf die einzigartige Biaspulsepolarität. Wir haben dieses Phänomen als ,,anomales Verhalten des QTS-Signals“ genannt, und in ersten Mal in einem QTS-Experiment beobachtet. Bei Wiederholung der QTS-Messung innerhalb ca. 100 min, die QTS-Spektre eine langsame Relaxationsprozesse von Störstellen am 5 μs in bereich ca. 63 min < 10^2 min hat. Die Einfangsquerschnitten sind Zeitabhängig, es bedeutet, dass die Störstellendichte nicht Konstant im Lauf der Betriebs des OFET bleibt. Dafür des Drain-Strom verändert sich und die Beweglichkeit unabhängige des elektrisches Feld ist. Experimentell Untersuchungen auf dem OFETs mit der Kombination der Ramanspektroskopie und elektrischen Felder zeigten eine Erhöhung des Ramanseinfangsquerschnitt in endliche Bereich als die chemische SERS-Verstärkung von In bzw. Mg auf die Perylen-Derivativen PTCDA und DiMe-PTCDI. Nach den Ausschaltung des elektrisches Felds den Ramansignal des Pentacen-basierten OFET eine Relaxationsprozesse mit Zeitkonstant von ca. 94 min hat. Deshalb ist die Summe von Störstellensdichte wegen dieser am organische/anorganische Grenze plus dieser dass die elektrisches Felds am die organische Halbleiter induziert.

Gold nanoparticles exhibit a combination of physical, chemical, optical, and electronic properties unique from all other nanotechnologies. These structures can provide a highly multifunctional platform with which to diagnose and treat diseases and can dramatically enhance a variety of photonic and electronic processes and devices. The work herein highlights some newly emerging applications of these phenomena as they relate to the targeted diagnosis and treatment of cancer, improved charge carrier generation in photovoltaic device materials, and strategies for enhanced spectrochemical analysis and detection. Chapter 1 introduces the reader to the design, synthesis, and molecular functionalization of gold nanotechnologies, and provides a framework from which to discuss the unique photophysical properties and applications of these nanoscale materials and their physiological interactions in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 discusses ongoing preclinical research in our lab investigating the use of near-infrared absorbing gold nanorods as photothermal contrast agents for laser ablation therapy of solid tumors. In Chapter 4, we present recent work developing a novel strategy for the targeted treatment of hormone-dependent breast and prostate tumors using multivalent gold nanoparticles that function as highly selective and potent endocrine receptor antagonist chemotherapeutics. In Chapter 5, we discuss a newly-emerging tumor-targeting strategy for nanoscale drug carriers which relies on their selective delivery to immune cells that exhibit high accumulation and infiltration into breast and brain tumors. Using this platform, we further investigate the interactions of nanoscale drug carriers and imaging agents to a transmembrane protein considered to be the single most prevalent and single most important contributor to drug resistance and the failure of chemotherapy. Chapter 6 presents work from a series of studies exploring enhanced charge carrier generation and relaxation in a hybrid electronic system exhibiting resonant interactions between photovoltaic device materials and plasmonic gold nanoparticles. Chapter 7 concludes by presenting studies investigating the contributions from so-called “dark” plasmon modes to the spectrochemical diagnostic method known as surface enhanced Raman scattering.

Novel biocompatible nanoprobes for optical imaging of Epidermal Growth Factor receptor (EGFR) were created. 5 and 18 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and 5 and 45 nm diameter silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were conjugated to EGF protein via ?-lipoic acid. AgNPs were not previously attached to EGF. TOF-MS confirms EGF-linker formation. ELISA verifies the linked-EGF activity alone and with EGF-NPs. Core-shell silver-gold nanoparticles (AgAuNPs) gave similar results. TEM staining with uranyl acetate exhibits a bright ring, smaller than EGF, around nanoparticles. Dark field microscopy shows localized, intense cytoplasmic scattering, possibly lipid droplets, in cancer cells incubated with or without nanoprobes. Following injection, mice organs were harvested for EGF-NP immune response determination. Sterilization likely inactivated EGF before ICP-MS. Intense surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS, 632.8 nm) follows MgSO4 induced EGF-AgNPs aggregation. Pelleted EGF-AgNP tagged cancer cells lack SERS indicative intensity contrast. AgAuNPs could provide increased stability, brighter SERS, and reduced silver biocompatibility concerns.

Savitvarkiai monosluoksniai suteikia metalų paviršiams norimas savybes ir plačiai taikomi elektronų pernašos tyrimuose, konstruojant (bio)jutiklius, biotechnologinius bei fotoelektroninius procesus. Teigiamo krūvio monosluoksniai naudojami kuriant anijonų jutiklius ir (bio)technologinius procesus su adsorbuotomis neigiamo krūvio makromolekulėmis. Darbe buvo susintetinta bifunkcinė molekulė su galinėmis tiolio ir piridinio grupėmis, suformuotas monosluoksnis ir ištirtos jo struktūrinės ir funkcinės savybės. Pagrindiniai darbo tikslai buvo ištirti N-(6-merkapto)heksilpiridinio (MHP) adsorbuoto ant Au ir Ag elektrodų struktūrą ir nustatyti monosluoksnio sąveikos su neorganiniais anijonais, dodecilsulfato anijonu ir grafeno oksidu dėsningumus. Naudojant paviršiaus sustiprintos Ramano spektroskopijos, kvantų chemijos skaičiavimo ir izotopinio pakeitimo metodus nustatyti MHP struktūros ir orientacijos elektrodo atžvilgiu Ramano sklaidos žymenys. Tiriant juostų intensyvumo priklausomybes nuo potencialo ir žadinančios spinduliuotės bangos ilgio parodyta, kad Au/MHP sistemoje pasireiškia krūvio pernešimo Ramano spektrų stiprinimo mechanizmas. Nustatyta, kad adsorbuotų neorganinių anijonų pilnai simetrinio virpesio dažnis sumažėja lyginant su tirpalo spektru ir tas pokytis koreliuoja su Gibso dehidracijos energija. Parodyta, kad MHP pritraukia grafeno oksidą. Nustatyta, kad grafeno oksido C-C ryšio ilgis ir elektroninė struktūra gali būti keičiama, keičiant potencialą. / Self-assembled monolayers provide possibility of changing metal surface properties in controllable manner and are widely used in studies of electron transfer, construction of (bio)sensors, and biotechnological and photoelectronic processes. Positively charged monolayers are valuable in development of sensors for anions and (bio)technological processes with adsorbed negatively charged macromolecules. In this work the structural and functional properties of monolayer formed from synthesized molecule with terminal thiol and pyridinium groups have been studied. The main tasks were to assess the structure of N-(6-mercapto)hexylpyridinium (MHP) on Ag and Au electrodes, and to determine the peculiarities of interaction with inorganic anions, dodecylsulfate, and graphene oxide. Based on surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), quantum chemical calculations, and isotopic substitution studies, the Raman marker bands for structure and orientation of MHP have been evaluated. Dependence of SERS intensity on potential and excitation wavelength has revealed the operation of charge transfer Raman enhancement mechanism. It was found that the frequency of symmetric stretching mode of adsorbed ions decreases comparing with solution value and the extent of the shift correlates with the Gibbs dehydration energy. Adsorption of graphene oxide at MHP monolayer has been demonstrated. The electronic structure and length of C-C bonds of graphene oxide was found to be altered by the potential.

Self-assembled monolayers provide possibility of changing metal surface properties in controllable manner and are widely used in studies of electron transfer, construction of (bio)sensors, and biotechnological and photoelectronic processes. Positively charged monolayers are valuable in development of sensors for anions and (bio)technological processes with adsorbed negatively charged macromolecules. In this work the structural and functional properties of monolayer formed from synthesized molecule with terminal thiol and pyridinium groups have been studied. The main tasks were to assess the structure of N-(6-mercapto)hexylpyridinium (MHP) on Ag and Au electrodes, and to determine the peculiarities of interaction with inorganic anions, dodecylsulfate, and graphene oxide. Based on surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), quantum chemical calculations, and isotopic substitution studies, the Raman marker bands for structure and orientation of MHP have been evaluated. Dependence of SERS intensity on potential and excitation wavelength has revealed the operation of charge transfer Raman enhancement mechanism. It was found that the frequency of symmetric stretching mode of adsorbed ions decreases comparing with solution value and the extent of the shift correlates with the Gibbs dehydration energy. Adsorption of graphene oxide at MHP monolayer has been demonstrated. The electronic structure and length of C-C bonds of graphene oxide was found to be altered by the potential. / Savitvarkiai monosluoksniai suteikia metalų paviršiams norimas savybes ir plačiai taikomi elektronų pernašos tyrimuose, konstruojant (bio)jutiklius, biotechnologinius bei fotoelektroninius procesus. Teigiamo krūvio monosluoksniai naudojami kuriant anijonų jutiklius ir (bio)technologinius procesus su adsorbuotomis neigiamo krūvio makromolekulėmis. Darbe buvo susintetinta bifunkcinė molekulė su galinėmis tiolio ir piridinio grupėmis, suformuotas monosluoksnis ir ištirtos jo struktūrinės ir funkcinės savybės. Pagrindiniai darbo tikslai buvo ištirti N-(6-merkapto)heksilpiridinio (MHP) adsorbuoto ant Au ir Ag elektrodų struktūrą ir nustatyti monosluoksnio sąveikos su neorganiniais anijonais, dodecilsulfato anijonu ir grafeno oksidu dėsningumus. Naudojant paviršiaus sustiprintos Ramano spektroskopijos, kvantų chemijos skaičiavimo ir izotopinio pakeitimo metodus nustatyti MHP struktūros ir orientacijos elektrodo atžvilgiu Ramano sklaidos žymenys. Tiriant juostų intensyvumo priklausomybes nuo potencialo ir žadinančios spinduliuotės bangos ilgio parodyta, kad Au/MHP sistemoje pasireiškia krūvio pernešimo Ramano spektrų stiprinimo mechanizmas. Nustatyta, kad adsorbuotų neorganinių anijonų pilnai simetrinio virpesio dažnis sumažėja lyginant su tirpalo spektru ir tas pokytis koreliuoja su Gibso dehidracijos energija. Parodyta, kad MHP pritraukia grafeno oksidą. Nustatyta, kad grafeno oksido CC ryšio ilgis ir elektroninė struktūra gali būti keičiama, keičiant potencialą.

Η φασματοσκοπία Raman θεωρείται αξιόπιστη μέθοδος χαρακτηρισμού της μοριακής δομής της ύλης. Τελευταία δε καταβάλλεται μεγάλη προσπάθεια να αναδειχθεί και ως μη επεμβατική τεχνική ανίχνευσης ουσιών φαρμακευτικού και βιολογικού ενδιαφέροντος. Επειδή όμως το φαινόμενο Raman είναι ασθενές και τα όρια ανίχνευσης των ουσιών αυτών ιδιαίτερα χαμηλά, η συμβατική φασματοσκοπία Raman ανταποκρίνεται με μεγάλη δυσκολία στις απαιτήσεις μιας μη επεμβατικής τεχνικής. Τα τελευταία χρόνια με την ανακάλυψη της επιφανειακής ενίσχυσης της σκέδασης Raman (Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering) και την ανάπτυξη της ομώνυμης τεχνικής SERS αυξήθηκε η πιθανότητα του φαινομένου κατά τάξεις μεγέθους. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, έχουν αναφερθεί και μελέτες SERS με ανίχνευση σκέδασης Raman ακόμη και από ένα μόνο μόριο (single molecule detection). Προϋπόθεση όμως ανάπτυξης φαινομένου SERS είναι η γειτνίαση της εξεταζόμενης ουσίας με νανοσωματίδια αργύρου (Ag) ή χρυσού (Au). Τα νανοσωματίδια αυτά χρησιμοποιούνται κυρίως είτε υπό μορφή κολλοειδών διαλυμάτων είτε υπό την μορφή νανοδομημένων επιφανειών. Μια επιπλέον παράμετρος που πρέπει να συνυπολογισθεί ώστε η μέθοδος αυτή να χαρακτηριστεί αναλυτική είναι η δυνατότητα πραγματοποίησης με SERS ποσοτικών μετρήσεων. Στην παρούσα εργασία ως “υπόστρωμα” εμφάνισης του φαινομένου SERS χρησιμοποιήθηκαν κολλοειδή διαλύματα Au και Ag (~2 mL), στα οποία προστίθεντο 25-100 μL διαλύματος της προς ανίχνευσης ουσίας. Η χρησιμοποίηση της γεωμετρίας σκέδασης 90ο, της πλέον ενδεδειγμένης για λήψη φασμάτων Raman από υγρά και κολλοειδή διαλύματα νανομετρικής κλίμακας (10-100 nm), έδωσε τη δυνατότητα ανίχνευσης συγκεντρώσεων ουσιών-στόχων ακόμη και της τάξης των fg/mL. Επιπλέον, η χρησιμοποίηση μιας κυψελίδας με συνεχή ταλάντωση σε κάθετη ως προς το επίπεδο σκέδασης διεύθυνση (oscillating or shaking cell), επέτρεψε την πραγματοποίηση ποσοτικών μετρήσεων SERS σε συγκεντρώσεις της τάξης των (sub)-ng & (sub)-pg/mL. Η διάταξη αυτή φωταψίας δείγματος και συλλογής σκεδαζόμενης ακτινοβολίας εφαρμόστηκε σε αντικαρκινικά φάρμακα (Novantrone® & Doxorubicin), αντιβιοτικό (Ciproxin®) και βάσεις του DNA. Στην περίπτωση του αντιβιοτικού με ενεργή ουσία το Ciprofloxacin ελήφθησαν ποσοτικά αποτελέσματα σε διαλύματα τεχνητών δακρύων της τάξης των ng/mL, κάτω από την συνολική κλίμακα της μέσης ανασταλτικής πυκνότητας (minimum inhibitory concentration range) του φαρμάκου. Στόχος και φιλοδοξία είναι η τεχνική αυτή να αναδειχθεί ως μια ταχεία μη επεμβατική αναλυτική μέθοδος μέτρησης φαρμακευτικών ή/και βιολογικών ουσιών σε σωματικά υγρά (π.χ. σίελος, δάκρυα, …), για την μελέτη της φαρμακοκινητικής, την έγκαιρη διάγνωση ασθενειών καθώς και τη μελέτη ελεγχόμενης αποδέσμευσης ενεργών ουσιών από πολυμερικές μήτρες σε πολύ μικρές συγκεντρώσεις. Επιπλέον, έγινε προσπάθεια μελέτης/ανίχνευσης μορίων Ε18 primary rat cortical cells με την χρήση του SERS σε συνθήκες προσομοίωσης ηλεκτροχημικού εμφυτεύματος. Για τον λόγο αυτό σχεδιάστηκε και αναπτύχθηκε ένας μικρο-επωαστής (micro-incubator) που επιτρέπει αφ’ ενός μεν τη συντήρηση των κυττάρων σε περιβάλλον κατάλληλο για τη μελέτη τους (layer of Neurobasal-culture medium with a 95% air & 5% CO2 gas flow at 37oC), αφ’ ετέρου δε την προσαρμογή του σε χώρο υποδοχής δείγματος ενός φασματοφωτόμετρου μικρο-Raman για τη λήψη φασματοηλεκτροχημικών μετρήσεων Raman/SERS. Το κύριο σημείο ενδιαφέροντος στο οποίο εστιάσαμε στην παρούσα εργασία αναφέρεται στην διερεύνηση ανίχνευσης βασικών/θεμελιωδών μορίων των κυττάρων στo θρεπτικό υγρό του πειράματος για την ταχεία εκτίμηση ενδεχόμενης αποδέσμευσης DNA που θα αντικατόπτριζε την κατάσταση των κυττάρων. / Laser Raman spectroscopy plays an increasing important role in polymer science, biophysics/biochemistry and life science. Based on vibrational transitions, it has long been regarded as a valuable non destructive tool for the identification of chemical and biological samples as well as the elucidation of molecular structure, surface processes and interface reactions. Spontaneous Raman scattering is however an inherently weak process characterized by extremely small cross sections. Even so, the Raman signal can be highly enhanced when the analyte is placed on or near either to nano-rough noble-metal substrates or to nano-structured colloidal clusters of noble metals. This nano-enhanced scattering process is known as Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering, SERS. With SERS, extremely small amounts of substances can be detected; even single molecule detection has been reported. This constitutes a challenge of applying SERS to extremely low concentration measurements. Nevertheless, the quantitative evaluation by means of SERS was proved difficult, due largely to lack of nano-sized noble metal structures with analytically suitable stability and reproducibility. The commonly used SERS substrates are nanostructured colloids or roughened surfaces of mainly silver and gold undergoing visible or NIR excitation. A note is made of the fact that the Raman scattering geometry that is actually largely used is the backscattering geometry. For solids this is better achieved via a microscope objective, while for liquids via a macro lens. However, the best scattering geometry for Raman light collection from liquids and nanostructured colloids is the right angle scattering; that is, the scattered light is collected at 90o from the excitation light. Having all above in mind, in order to perform quantitative SERS measurements we have designed and developed an oscillating cell making use of the right angle Raman scattering geometry. Originally, the development of the oscillating or “shaking” cell allows large sample sectional surface monitoring, better mixing and homogeneity giving rise to SERS signal reproducibility. In addition, the application of the advantageous for nanocolloidal solutions right angle Raman scattering collection geometry enables SERS measurements at extremely low concentrations. We demonstrated the use this new surface enhanced Raman scattering excitation/collection configuration to monitor the level of the antitumor drugs mitoxantrone and doxorubicin as well as the antibiotic ciprofloxacin at very low concentrations performing fast SERS & SERRS measurements. We have also quantified the concentration of the active agents in aqueous solutions as well as in artificial tears by a partial least-squares (PLS) chemo metric regression algorithm. All above reveal the potential of this technique in the monitoring of the controlled release of active agents from polymeric matrices as well as in the quantitative analysis of drugs in corporal fluids. The only need is to add in a test tube containing 0.5 mL of a nanocolloidal noble metal solution3 about 25-100 μL of a sampling fluid. Finally, in an attempt to detect “living” cells by SERS, to identify DNA components released in a cell culture medium as a “touch mark” of cell death and to perform even single molecule detection, a home-made micro-incubator was designed to allow Raman measurements of neuron cells under the microscope. Commercial micro incubators feature higher optical path between coverslips than the required (<1-1,5 cm) for typical micro-Raman systems even bearing long working distance objectives. It was at that sense a prerequisite to design, construct and optimize a micro-incubator to fit a conventional micro-Raman configuration. The designed micro-incubator meets well-defined stable conditions (temperature, culture solution and atmosphere).

Abstract This thesis reports on studies of plasmonic nanoparticles and particularly gold nanostars as signal enhancers and contrast agents for biophotonic applications including visualisation, treatment of living cells and chemical sensing. In this thesis, the optical properties of nanoparticles of different size and morphology and their silica composites were compared. Because they are the most suitable plasmonic nanostructures, gold nanostars were utilised for optical imaging modalities such as confocal microscopy and Doppler optical coherence tomography. The ability of gold nanoparticles to enhance the signal in surface-enhanced vibrational spectroscopy, including Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was additionally studied. Finally, various gold nanoparticles were applied for cell optoporation to increase the penetration ability of exogeneous substances. In summary, significant advantages of nanostars such as their low-toxicity, high scattering and contrast abilities, in addition to a broad, tunable, plasmon resonance wavelength range, as well as the capability to enhance the signal of analyte molecules in vibrational spectroscopy were demonstrated in this thesis. The results of this study on the effectiveness of nanostars have a broad scope of utility and open a wide perspective for their utilisation in nanobiophotonics and biomedicine. / Tiivistelmä Tämä opinnäytetyö kertoo tutkimuksista, joissa plasmoninanopartikkeleita ja erityisesti kultananotähtiä on käytetty signaalinvahvistimina biofotoniikan sovelluksissa, kuten visualisointi, elävien solujen käsittely ja kemiallinen tunnistus. Tässä työssä verrattiin eri kokoisten ja muotoisten nanopartikkeleiden ja niiden piioksidikomposiittien optisia ominaisuuksia. Sopivimpina plasmoninanorakenteina kultananotähtiä käytettiin optisiin kuvantamismenetelmiin, kuten konfokaalimikroskopiaan ja Doppler-optiseen koherenssitomografiaan. Lisäksi kuvattiin myös kultananopartikkelien kykyä parantaa pinta-aktivoidun värähtelevän spektroskopian signaalia, mukaan lukien Raman- ja Fourier-muunnos-infrapuna-spektroskopia. Lopuksi, eri kultananopartikkeleita käytettiin soluoptoporaatioon eksogeenisten aineiden läpäisevyyden lisäämiseksi. Yhteenvetona, työssä osoitettiin nanotähtien merkittävät edut, kuten matala-myrkyllisyys, suuret sironta- ja kontrastiominaisuudet, laaja plasmoniresonanssin aallonpituusalue ja sen viritettävyys, sekä kyky parantaa analyyttimolekyylien signaalia värähtelyspektroskopiassa. Niinpä tutkimustulokset nanotähtien tehokkuudesta ovat laajasti käyttökelpoisia ja ne avaavat laajan näkökulman niiden hyödyntämiseen nanobiofotoniikassa ja biolääketieteessä.