| Abstract [eng] |
Biomolecules are substances present in living organisms that play an essential role in biochemical processes. The ability to control the interactions between biomolecules, to observe the processes occurring at interfaces is highly relevant to many scientific fields. However, understanding biomolecular processes at the molecular level requires unique research methods. One such research method is Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). Nonetheless, SERS has several fundamental drawbacks that limit the application of the method in the study of biomolecules at interfaces. The main disadvantage of SERS is the requirement to use roughened or nanostructured Au, Ag, or Cu surfaces to amplify the Raman signal. In this case, metals can directly interact with biomolecules, modifying the entire system. Therefore, in 2010 an alternative research technique was proposed – Shell-Isolated Nanoparticle-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SHINERS), which allows obtaining detailed information about molecular vibrations, but at the same time avoids the main drawbacks of SERS. SHINERS has opened up new possibilities in studying adsorption, catalysis, charge transfer and other processes on smooth, single-crystal surfaces, also on two-dimensional materials. This dissertation presents the molecular-level characterization of interfacial biomolecules by using SHINERS method. The work discusses the possibilities and challenges of this method in studying heterogeneous molecular systems and reveals the structural peculiarities and the function of different biomolecules. |
