Method and device for capturing or aggregating substance with applying a voltage

Abstract

This invention provides a method for capturing or aggregating matter using applied voltage, comprising: storing a solution containing the matter on a substrate; and applying a voltage to the substrate to generate a potential difference across the solution containing the matter, thereby causing the matter to concentrate on the substrate. Simultaneously, this invention also discloses an apparatus for capturing or aggregating matter using applied voltage, comprising: a substrate for storing a solution containing the matter; and at least one electrode for applying a voltage to the substrate to generate a potential difference across the solution containing the matter, thereby causing the matter to concentrate on the substrate.

Description

Method and device for capturing or aggregating substances by applying voltage The present invention relates to a method and device for capturing or aggregating substances, and more particularly to a method and device capable of capturing or aggregating substances by applying voltage. Current detection technologies require understanding the presence of molecules in extremely low-concentration solutions. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) can detect the vibrational frequencies of individual molecules, and therefore holds great potential for detecting biomolecules in extremely low-concentration solutions. To improve the accuracy of SERS detection of biomolecules at extremely low concentrations in solution, noble metals are often used as coatings on various substrates (such as Si, GaN, and sapphire) to serve as SERS substrates for SERS analysis. The localized electromagnetic field generated by the surface plasmon excitation effect in metals influences the Raman modes of nearby molecules by forming so-called hotspots, thereby enhancing the intensity of SERS. However, identifying the appropriate location for biomedical detection remains challenging in practical applications. Although superhydrophobic surfaces offer exceptionally high SERS performance, it is often difficult to locate the appropriate location for detection after droplet aggregation and concentration. Therefore, a new detection method is needed to address this issue. Therefore, in response to the above-mentioned problems to be solved, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for capturing or aggregating substances by applying voltage, comprising: storing a solution containing the substance on a substrate; and applying voltage to the substrate to generate a potential difference across the solution containing the substance, thereby causing the substance to be concentrated on the substrate. In the method as described above, the substrate further comprises at least one electrode, and the voltage is applied to the substrate through the electrode. The method further includes: irradiating the substance with laser light to generate scattered light; and detecting the scattered light. In the method described above, the substrate further comprises a modified layer coated thereon, and the modified layer comprises a rough surface, a patterned surface, or a plurality of nanoparticles. In the method described above, the modified layer further comprises at least one electrode, and a solution containing the substance is deposited on the modified layer, and the voltage is applied to the modified layer through the electrode to cause the substance to be concentrated on the modified layer. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for capturing or aggregating substances by applying voltage, comprising: a substrate for storing a solution containing the substance; and at least one electrode for applying voltage to the substrate to generate a potential difference across the solution containing the substance, thereby causing the substance to be concentrated on the substrate. The device as described above, wherein the electrode is disposed on the substrate, and the voltage is applied to the substrate through the electrode. The device as described above further comprises a modified layer formed on the substrate, wherein the electrode is disposed on the modified layer. The device as described above, wherein the modified layer comprises a rough surface, a patterned surface or a plurality of nanoparticles. The device as described above further includes a modified layer and an enhanced layer, wherein the modified layer is formed on the substrate, the enhanced layer is formed on the modified layer, and the electrode is disposed on the enhanced layer. Therefore, the present invention uses voltage to capture or aggregate substances, confining and concentrating them at predetermined locations on a substrate, such as grooves or holes. Experimental verification has shown that using voltage to capture or aggregate substances can indeed achieve better capture or aggregation results. Therefore, the present invention effectively addresses the current difficulty in accurately locating substances in biomedical testing. The objectives and structural and functional advantages of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures and specific embodiments, so that the examiners can have a deeper and more detailed understanding of the present invention. In the present invention, a voltage is applied to a substrate or component to achieve a better effect of capturing or aggregating substances. In some embodiments, the substrate or component includes an active layer having grooves or holes. Therefore, at least one electrode is disposed on the active layer in the grooves or holes. By applying a voltage to the electrode, a potential difference is generated across a solution containing a substance on the substrate or component, thereby concentrating and confining the substance within the grooves or holes, thereby achieving the purpose of capturing or aggregating the substance, wherein the substance can be polar or non-polar. Referring to FIG. 1( a ), one embodiment of the present invention provides a device 1 for capturing or aggregating a substance by applying a voltage, comprising: a substrate 11 for storing a solution containing the substance; and a pair of electrodes 13 for applying a voltage to the substrate 11 to generate a potential difference across the solution containing the substance, thereby concentrating the substance on the substrate 11. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG1( a ), a modified layer 12 is formed on the substrate 11, and a plurality of grooves 121 are provided on the surface of the modified layer 12. Furthermore, two electrodes 13 are disposed on the left and right sides of the modified layer 12, respectively. A voltage is applied to the modified layer 12 via these electrodes 13, thereby generating a potential difference across a solution containing the substance located on the modified layer 12 of the substrate 11, thereby concentrating the substance in the grooves 121 of the modified layer 12. This achieves the purpose of capturing or aggregating the substance. However, this is not limiting. Alternatively, the modified layer 12 may be omitted. Instead, the two electrodes 13 may be disposed directly on the left and right sides of the substrate 11, on either side, or at the desired location for the substance to be concentrated, or near the grooves 121. A voltage is then applied directly to the substrate 11 via the electrodes 13, thereby achieving the effect of capturing or aggregating the substance. It is understood that the substrate 11 may be a flat surface without grooves or holes, or an uneven surface with grooves or holes. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG1( b ), an enhancement layer 14 may be additionally coated on the modified layer 12 having the grooves 121. This enhancement layer 14 can enhance the Raman scattering effect. In this case, the two electrodes 13 are still disposed on the left and right sides of the modified layer 12. A voltage is applied to the enhancement layer 14 via these electrodes 13, creating a potential difference across the solution containing the substance, thereby concentrating the substance in the grooves 121 coated with the enhancement layer 14. This not only achieves the purpose of capturing or aggregating the substance, but also effectively improves the detection effect of Raman scattering. In the above embodiment, the two electrodes 13 are disposed on the modified layer 12, but this is not a limitation. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG1(c), the two electrodes 13 can also be disposed on the enhanced layer 14. Alternatively, in yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG1(d), one electrode 13 is disposed on the enhanced layer 14, while the other electrode 13 is disposed on the modified layer 12 having the groove 121. In other words, the present invention can choose to dispose the electrodes 13 on the substrate 11, the modified layer 12, or the enhanced layer 14. Therefore, the present invention can make different arrangements of the positions of the electrodes 13 according to different actual needs and the conductivity of the materials of the modified layer 12 or the enhanced layer 14. It is worth mentioning that if the reinforcement layer 14 is made of a conductive material, the reinforcement layer 14 can also directly serve as the electrode 13. Therefore, the reinforcement layer 14 and the electrode 13 shown in Figures 1(c) and 1(d) can be an integrally formed structure. In other words, the electrode 13 can be a part of the reinforcement layer 14. Therefore, in some embodiments, the electrode 13 and the reinforcement layer 14 can be made of the same metal. Similarly, the modified layer 12 can also have a similar approach, that is, if the modified layer 12 is made of a conductive material, the modified layer 12 can also directly serve as the electrode 13, so the modified layer 12 and the electrode 13 shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b) can also be an integrally formed structure. Since the electrode 13 is applied with a voltage, the function of this voltage is to drive the substances in the solution to be confined and concentrated in a predetermined place on the substrate 11, such as the groove 121, so as to achieve the purpose of capturing or aggregating substances that the present invention wants to achieve. In other words, the voltage applied by the electrode 13 of the present invention can generate a potential difference across the solution containing the substance, so that the substance in the solution is affected by the voltage and moves toward the groove 121 and gathers in the groove 121, so as to achieve the purpose of capturing or aggregating substances through the groove 121. In this embodiment, the material of the modified layer 12 is silicon, but it is not limited to this. The material of the modified layer 12 can also be a II-IV semiconductor compound, a III-V semiconductor compound or a IV-IV semiconductor compound. In some embodiments, the enhancement layer 14 can be made of materials such as metals, two-dimensional materials or transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), wherein transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are a layered material whose basic chemical formula can be written as MX 2, where M represents a transition metal element, including Ti, V, Ta, Mo, W, Re, etc., and X represents a chalcogen atom, including S, Se, Te, etc. Therefore, in other embodiments, the material of the transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) can be indium selenide (InSe), molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2) Molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe 2) Tungsten ditelluride (WTe 2) Tungsten disulfide (WS 2) Gallium selenide (GaSe), tungsten diselenide (WSe 2) or molybdenum diselenide (MoSe 2) The electrode 13 is made of gold, platinum, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, silver, copper, mercury, rhenium, iridium, or an alloy thereof, and the substrate 11 is made of glass, sapphire, quartz, SiC, silicon, ZnO, MgO, or lithium aluminum oxide. In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG1(a), the modified layer 12 coated on the substrate 11 is an active layer with holes, and the active layer with holes has a plurality of grooves 121. In some embodiments, the grooves 121 can be triangular grooves, and the diameter of the grooves 121 is from a few microns to a few hundred nanometers. However, it is not limited to this. Another option is that the modified layer 12 can include a rough surface, a patterned surface, or a plurality of nanoparticles to achieve a surface modification or modification effect. In addition, the enhancement layer 14 coated on the modified layer 12 can be formed by a rough metal surface or using a plurality of arranged nanoparticles. In some embodiments, a groove 121 similar to that described above can be formed on silicon through lithography and etching steps to form a modified layer 12 having the groove 121. The modified layer 12 having the groove 121 can be selectively disposed on or not disposed on the substrate 11. In other words, the substrate 11 and the modified layer 12 in the device 1 for capturing or aggregating substances by applying a voltage of the present invention can be integrated into one body. That is, when the substrate 11 and the modified layer 12 are made of the same material, such as silicon, the substrate 11 can be omitted and the modified layer 12 can be used directly. However, the modified layer 12 must have a certain thickness to provide a certain structural strength, thereby replacing the structural support function of the substrate 11. In this embodiment, the step of forming the modified layer 12 with the grooves 121 is performed via metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Since the thickness of the modified layer 12 is not sufficient to provide sufficient structural strength, the device 1 for capturing or aggregating substances by applying a voltage in this embodiment must include a substrate 11 to provide sufficient structural strength and thereby achieve structural support. Next, a reinforcement layer 14 is deposited on the modified layer 12 with the grooves 121 via an evaporation machine. This reinforcement layer 14 can be made of a metal or a two-dimensional material such as a transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD). Electrodes 13 are plated on both sides of the modified layer 12 with the grooves 121 for applying a voltage. In some embodiments, the modified layer 12 is formed via metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) at a temperature of approximately 1000° C. to 1100° C. and a pressure of 250 mbar to 350 mbar. The modified layer 12 can form a polar plane, a semipolar plane, or a nonpolar plane, depending on actual needs. It is understood that the thickness of the modified layer 12 is greater than the thickness of the enhancement layer 14, and therefore the depth of the groove 121 is also greater than the thickness of the enhancement layer 14. This prevents the enhancement layer 14 from filling the groove 121, leaving sufficient space in the groove 121 for material to accumulate and prevent the material from escaping from the groove 121. Referring to FIG. 2 , another embodiment of the present invention provides a method 2 for capturing or aggregating a substance by applying a voltage. The method 2 is performed using the aforementioned device 1 and includes: step 1 21 : depositing a solution containing the substance on a device for capturing or aggregating the substance as described above; step 2 22 : applying a voltage to electrodes in the device to generate a potential difference across the solution containing the substance, thereby causing the substance to be concentrated in a groove on the device; step 3 23 : irradiating the substance with a laser to generate scattered light; and step 4 24 : detecting the scattered light. In this embodiment, because the device 1 is provided with multiple grooves 121, when a voltage is applied to a solution stored in the device 1, the potential difference created causes the substances in the solution to move toward the groove 121 closest to them and fall into it, thereby capturing or aggregating the substances. Next, the substances are exposed to a laser, generating scattered light. Finally, the scattered light is detected to analyze the detection results. It is understood that the above-described method 2 for capturing or aggregating substances is intended for Raman spectroscopy analysis. However, when the above-described method 2 for capturing or aggregating substances is not intended for Raman spectroscopy analysis, the steps including step 3 S3 and step 4 S4 can be omitted. It's worth noting that under the influence of the electric field generated by the voltage, substances in the solution are attracted to the grooves 121 by the electric field and confined there, making it difficult for them to escape or escape. Basically, as the voltage increases, the probability of finding substances in the grooves 121 also increases significantly, resulting in a good concentration and enrichment effect, and thus a relatively high intensity of Raman spectroscopy detection. Furthermore, it is understood that the grooves 121 can be replaced by bumps, convex points, or patterns. In other words, other microstructures are not limited to recesses; they can also be applied to the present invention, especially those that facilitate the application of electric fields, which can produce even better concentration effects. Furthermore, the thickness of the grown enhancement layer 14, such as a multilayered two-dimensional material, is relatively thin. Due to the better electrical properties of multilayered two-dimensional materials, this can lead to an enhanced effect of the charge transfer mechanism. Therefore, compared to the modified layer 12 not coated with the two-dimensional material, the Raman spectroscopy (SERS) signal intensity of the modified layer 12 coated with the enhancement layer 14 of the two-dimensional material is much higher, indicating that the two-dimensional material has a good effect on enhancing the Raman spectroscopy signal intensity. Referring to FIG. 3( a ) to FIG. 3( d ), the R6G solution (10 -3 M) was dropped onto the active layer (or active layer) containing the recesses. A voltage of approximately 100 mV was applied, and SERS measurements were performed to examine the effect of the applied voltage. The results shown in Figures 3(a)-3(d) demonstrate that when the voltage is applied, R6G molecules can be clearly aggregated or trapped in the recesses. Referring to Figures 3(c)-3(d), the SERS intensity at position A (inside the recess) is stronger than that at position C (outside the recess), indicating a clear correlation between the SERS intensity and the applied voltage. In contrast, referring to Figures 4(a) to 4(d), the R6G solution (10 -3 M) was dropped onto the active layer (or active layer) containing the recess. No voltage was applied, thus treating it as if a voltage of approximately 0 mV was applied. SERS measurements were then performed to examine the effect of applying a voltage of approximately 0 mV. The results shown in Figures 4(a)-4(d) demonstrate that, without an applied voltage, R6G molecules are unable to aggregate or be trapped within the recess. Referring to Figures 4(c)-4(d), the SERS intensity at position B (outside the recess) is stronger than that at position A (inside the recess), indicating a clear correlation between the SERS intensity and voltage. From the above voltage-applying experiments, it can be seen that the primary factor affecting whether R6G molecules concentrate or aggregate is the applied voltage. Therefore, the present invention provides a method 3 for capturing or aggregating substances using applied voltage. Referring to Figure 5 , this method 3 for capturing or aggregating substances includes: Step 1 31: depositing a solution containing the substance on a substrate; Step 2 32: applying a voltage to the substrate to generate a potential difference across the solution containing the substance, thereby causing the substance to concentrate on the substrate; Step 3 33: irradiating the substance with a laser to generate scattered light; and Step 4 34: detecting the scattered light. In some embodiments, since at least one electrode is provided on the substrate, the voltage can be applied to the substrate through the electrode. In addition, since a plurality of recesses are provided on the substrate, when a voltage is applied to the solution stored on the substrate, the potential difference generated can cause the substance in the solution to move toward the recess closest to it and fall into the recess, thereby achieving the effect of capturing or aggregating the substance. Next, the substance is exposed to a laser to generate scattered light. Finally, the scattered light is detected to analyze the detection results. It can be understood that the above-mentioned method 3 for capturing or aggregating substances is used for Raman spectroscopy analysis (SERS). When the above-mentioned method 3 for capturing or aggregating substances is not used for Raman spectroscopy analysis, the steps including step three S3 and step four S4 can be omitted. In addition, at least one or two electrodes are provided on the substrate for applying voltage, so the voltage is applied to the substrate through the electrodes. In this embodiment, the substrate may be a conventional substrate without the modified layer 12 or enhanced layer 14 described above. However, this is not limiting. In some embodiments, the substrate may be coated or covered with a modified layer, which may be a roughened metal surface, a patterned surface, or a large number of arrayed nanoparticles. Similarly, it is understood that the substrate may also be replaced or substituted with the aforementioned device 1. In addition, another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a device for capturing or aggregating substances. Please refer to Figure 6 for a flow chart of the method for manufacturing a device for capturing or aggregating substances according to the present invention. This method 4 for manufacturing a device for capturing or aggregating substances includes: Step 1 41: Providing a substrate; Step 2 42: Forming an active layer with recesses on the substrate, wherein the active layer with recesses has a plurality of recesses; Step 3 43: Forming a reinforcement layer on the active layer with recesses; Step 4 44: Selectively forming at least one electrode on the active layer with recesses or the reinforcement layer; and Step 5 45: Selectively forming another electrode on the active layer with recesses or the reinforcement layer. It is understood that the active layer with holes mentioned in Step 2 42, Step 3 43, Step 4 44, and Step 5 45 can be replaced with a modified layer for capturing or aggregating substances. In some embodiments, the modified layer includes a roughened metal surface, a patterned surface, or a large number of arrayed nanoparticles. In summary, the electric field generated by the applied voltage can not only be used to capture or aggregate polar or non-polar molecules, but can also attract polar or non-polar molecules surrounding the analyte into the cavity, and through the two-dimensional material, form an enhanced signal, thereby achieving the purpose of accurately locating the appropriate position of the substance. Therefore, the present invention can effectively solve the problem of the current biomedical detection difficulty in accurately locating the appropriate position of the substance. Therefore, the present invention proposes a simple and convenient method and substrate manufacturing process for molecular detection, and the improved sensitivity of the present invention will be effectively applied to various fields such as the biomedical field for trace molecular detection. It should be understood that the above description of the embodiments is given only as an example, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art. The above description and examples provide a complete description of the process of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention and its use. Although the above embodiments disclose specific embodiments of the present invention, they are not intended to limit the present invention. For ordinary technicians in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the above-mentioned illustrations and descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Generally speaking, those who are familiar with this technology should consider other equivalent changes or modifications made according to the characteristic scope of the present invention as not departing from the design scope of the present invention. 1: Device 11: Substrate 12: Modified Layer 121: Groove 13: Electrode 14: Enhanced Layer 2: Method 21: Step 1 22: Step 2 23: Step 3 24: Step 4 3: Method 31: Step 1 32: Step 2 33: Step 3 34: Step 4 4: Method 41: Step 1 42: Step 2 43: Step 3 44: Step 4 45: Step 5 Figure 1(a) is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a device for capturing or aggregating substances by applying voltage according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1(b) is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a device for capturing or aggregating substances by applying voltage according to the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1(c) is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a device for capturing or aggregating substances by applying voltage according to the third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1(d) is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a device for capturing or aggregating substances by applying voltage according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a flow block diagram of a method for capturing or aggregating substances by applying voltage according to the present invention. Figure 3(a) is a top-down OM image of an active layer with a recess in the device for capturing or aggregating substances according to the present invention when voltage is applied; Figure 3(b) is a 1362 cm -1 Figure 3(c) corresponds to the Raman mapping of position AC in Figure 3(a); Figure 3(d) is the Raman spectrum recorded at position AC in Figure 3(a). Figure 4(a) is a top-down OM image of the active layer with a cavity in the device for capturing or aggregating substances of the present invention when no voltage is applied; Figure 4(b) is a 1362 cm-1 Raman image of the same region in Figure 4(a). -1 Figure 4(c) corresponds to the Raman map of position AC in Figure 4(a); Figure 4(d) is the Raman spectrum recorded at position AC in Figure 4(a). Figure 5 is a block diagram of another method of the present invention for capturing or aggregating substances using applied voltage. Figure 6 is a block diagram of a method of the present invention for fabricating a device for capturing or aggregating substances using applied voltage. 1: Device 11:Substrate 12: Modified layer 121: Groove 13: Electrode

Claims

1. A method for capturing or aggregating a substance by applying a voltage, comprising: storing a solution containing the substance on a substrate, wherein the substrate further includes a modifier layer coated on the substrate, the modifier layer further including at least one groove disposed on the surface of the modifier layer; and applying a voltage to the substrate to generate a potential difference across the solution containing the substance, thereby causing the substance to concentrate in the groove.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substrate further includes at least one electrode, and the voltage is applied to the substrate through the electrode.

3. The method as described in claim 1 further comprises: irradiating the material with a laser to form scattered light; and detecting the scattered light.

4. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the modified layer comprises a rough surface, a patterned surface, or a plurality of nanoparticles.

5. The method as described in claim 4, wherein the modified layer further includes at least one electrode, and a solution containing the substance is stored on the modified layer, and the voltage is applied to the modified layer through the electrode to concentrate the substance on the modified layer.

6. An apparatus for capturing or aggregating a substance by applying a voltage, comprising: a substrate for storing a solution containing the substance; a modifier layer disposed on the substrate, wherein the modifier layer further comprises at least one groove disposed on the surface of the modifier layer; and at least one electrode selectively disposed on the substrate or the surface of the modifier layer for applying a voltage to the substrate to generate a potential difference across the solution containing the substance, thereby causing the substance to concentrate in the groove.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the electrode is disposed on the substrate and the voltage is applied to the substrate through the electrode.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the modified layer comprises a rough surface, a patterned surface, or a plurality of nanoparticles.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 further includes a reinforcing layer formed on the modified layer, and the electrode disposed on the reinforcing layer.

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