A SERS active gold nanostar dimer for mercury ion detection

A self-assembled nanostar dimer based on the Hg(2+)-mediated T-T base pair of ssDNA has been developed as a SERS sensor for Hg(2+) detection. The enormous enhancement of the electromagnetic field by the dimer structures facilitates extraordinary SERS intensity. The LOD is 0.8 pg mL(-1) and its linear range is 0.002 to 1 ng mL(-1).