Surface enhanced fluorescence of Ag nanostructure films prepared by DC magnetron sputtering

Silver (Ag) nanostructure films were fabricated by dc magnetron sputtering. The effect of deposition times were systematically studied in order to understand the relationship of morphology and surface enhanced fluorescence (SEF). The analysis of morphology by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) exhibited the evolution of film growth process from nanoparticle, nanoisland and continuous film as a function of deposition time from 5-120 s. The SEF behaviour of the Rhodamine 6G (R6G) molecules deposited on the prepared Ag nanostructure films were investigated. The results of this study demonstrated that high fluorescence enhancement through the sized and nano-gap distance of the Ag nanoisland, compared with that of Ag films and silicon wafer substrate. In addition, our preparation SEF substrate has potential applications in chemical analysis and biosensor devices.