A new 3D diamond plasmonic platform for SERS chemical sensing in the marine environment

实现高灵敏度地感知海洋环境中的一系列化学品/生物化学品的设备是许多应用的关键使能技术。如果这些设备能够进行远程通信，则会遇到更多的潜在应用。在潜艇方面，监测与船体相遇的化学品/生物化学品的装置将在生物污损和腐蚀研究方面具有重大意义，而能够检测与海洋有关的化学品作为最近海洋活动的当地标志的装置，无论是在船体上装置，还是在船后试验，都可以加强探测和监测能力。利用常被称为“物联网”的通信技术，远程部署微型传感器，可以增强在更广泛的海洋环境中的监视能力。钻石是一种宽禁带半导体材料，具有极高的电子、光学、热、硬度和化学性能。这不仅使钻石传感器平台在海洋环境中的弹性方面最合适，而且钻石也被证明比其他材料更能抵抗生物污染。钻石在水中表现出比任何电极材料最高的电化学窗口(发生水的氧化还原击穿的电位)，这意味着钻石器件可以在比传统材料更高的电压下工作。PHD计划具体涉及：3D钻石-碳纳米管结构的生长和表征；3D钻石-碳纳米管结构的等离子体表征；3D钻石-碳纳米管结构的SERS方法的开发；3D钻石-碳纳米管阵列在像素MEAs上的本地化；3D钻石-碳纳米管结构的表面功能化，用于添加连接物和物种用于选择性传感；基于3D平台的SERS传感器的灵敏度和选择性的评估；制定实现原型设备的策略。

The realisation of devices that offer the ability to sense a range of chemicals / bio-chemicals within the marine environment with high sensitivity is a key enabling technology for many applications. If these devices can be enabled for remote communication even more potential applications are encountered. In terms of submarines, devices that monitor chemicals / bio-chemicals that encounter the hull would be of significant interest in terms of bio-fouling and corrosion studies, and devices that could detect marine bound chemicals as local signature of recent marine activity, either with devices on the hull, or trialled behind the boat could enhance detection and surveillance capabilities. Using the communication technologies often described as the 'internet of things' remotely deployed miniature sensors could enhance surveillance capability in the wider marine environment.Diamond is a wide band gap semiconductor material with extreme electronic, optical, thermal, hardness and chemical properties. Not only does this make a diamond sensor platform the most suitable in terms of resilience in a marine environment, but diamond has also been shown to resist bio-fouling more than other materials. Diamond displays the highest 'electrochemical window' of any electrode material in water (the potential at which the redox breakdown of water occurs) meaning that diamond devices can operate at higher voltages than those made from conventional materials.The PhD programme specifically involves: Growth and characterization of 3D diamond-CNT structures; plasmonic characterization of 3D diamond-CNT structures; development of SERS approach with 3D diamond-CNT structures; localization of 3D diamond-CNT arrays on 64-pixel MEAs; Surface functionlisation of 3D diamond-CNT structures for addition of linkers and species for selective sensing; evaluation of 3D platform SERS-based sensor in terms of sensitivity and selectivity; development of strategy for the realization of prototype devices.