Dr. Richard Taylor

Cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]) are subnanometer-sized macrocyclic host molecules that strongly bind to gold surfaces and enable precise control of gold nanoparticle (AuNP) assembly. Their use results in highly reproducible nanoparticle aggregates with a fixed interparticle gap of 0.9 nm, leading to well-defined and highly sensitive plasmonic behavior. Understanding the evolution of these plasmon modes is crucial for optimizing their application as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates. The CB[n]-induced assembly enables real-time tracking of plasmonic development through combined extinction and SERS measurements. The aggregation kinetics, which influence the final topology and structural motifs of the clusters, correlate with the emergence of distinct plasmon modes. Simulations attribute these modes to disordered chains of varying lengths. Notably, CB[n] molecules themselves serve as in situ reporters of near-field strength through their SERS signals, enabling direct calibration of local field enhancements. Thanks to their rigid geometry and host–guest recognition capabilities, CB[n]-linked aggregates offer a unique, self-calibrated platform for SERS. They enable selective trapping of analytes within plasmonic nanojunctions, forming the basis of a reliable and highly specific molecular-recognition SERS assay.