B-PHOT Research on Scalable SERS Substrates via Triboelectrification Featured in Small Methods

Research from VUB Brussels Photonics (B-PHOT) team with the title “SERS Substrate Fabrication via Rapid Triboelectrification-Driven Self-Assembly of Close-Packed Colloidal Monolayers” has been highlighted in Hot Topics in Surfaces and Interfaces of Small Methods.

This collaborative work from VUB's Chemical Engineering and Separations Science (CHIS) and Brussels Photonics (B-PHOT) teams explores a fast and simple way to fabricate highly ordered SERS sensing substrates using triboelectrification-driven self-assembly. By using electrostatic charges generated during contact and separation, dry colloidal particles can rapidly organize into close-packed monolayers, offering an accessible alternative to more complex nanofabrication routes. After metal coating, these structures enable a strong Raman signal enhancement and show strong potential for practical sensing applications.

We are very happy to see this work featured, and we hope it helps bring scalable SERS substrate fabrication closer to wider use in research and sensing applications!