Patent ID: 6623977
Filing Date: 2003-09-23
Classification: B82Y,G01N

Abstract:
A method for producing a metal-doped sol-gel material, effective for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, comprising the steps:(a) providing a liquid formulation reactive for gelation to produce a sol-gel, said formulation comprising water; a matrix-forming component including a compound having the chemical formula M(OR)n, wherein M is a metal selected from the group consisting of silicon, aluminum, titanium and zirconium, and mixtures thereof, and R is an organic group; and ions of a SERS-active metal; (b) effecting gelation and drying of said formulation, at a temperature not in excess of 100Â° C., to produce a porous sol-gel material; and (c) treating at least one surface of said sol-gel material to effect reduction of said metal ions present at said surface to elemental-state particles.