Estimating the Analytical and Surface Enhancement Factors in Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS): A Novel Physical Chemistry and Nanotechnology Laboratory Experiment.

The article presents a laboratory experiment for estimating the analytical and surface enhancement factors in surface-enhanced raman scattering (SERS). The aim of the experiment is to help undergraduate and graduate physical chemistry and nanotechnology students determine the SERS-based sensing capabilities of colloidal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Specific procedures for the synthesis of AgNPs, safety considerations, and AgNPs' optical properties are discussed.