Densely arranged two-dimensional silver nanoparticle assemblies with optical uniformity over vast areas as excellent surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrates.

Dense two-dimensional assemblies of silver nanoparticles were fabricated over vast areas (~19 cm(2)) by utilizing a simple liquid-liquid interface assembly technique. The Raman signal for p-aminothiophenol immobilized on the assemblies was drastically enhanced by plasmon coupling-induced hot spots, and the enhanced signal showed high spatial reproducibility.