Gold, Silver & Platinum Substrates for SPM, AFM & Electrochemistry
Discover our broad range of metal-coated substrates for nanotechnology, scanning probe microscopy (SPM/AFM/STM), and biosensor development.
Our Substrates
Gold on Glass (Au(111))
The standard substrate with atomically flat terraces for high-resolution AFM/STM measurements and SAM applications. Generally in stock, usual delivery time approximately 1-2 weeks.
Silver Substrates (Ag)
Optimized for plasmonic field enhancement, SERS (Raman spectroscopy), and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Not currently in production – inquiries welcome.
Platinum Substrates (Pt)
Outstanding chemical resistance and electrocatalytic activity for demanding electrochemistry applications. Not currently in production – inquiries welcome.
Choosing the Right Substrate & Manufacturing Quality
Choosing the Right Noble Metal
The metallic coating you choose largely determines the chemical and physical properties of your sample. Gold (Au) is the usual first choice for self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and ultra-high-resolution STM measurements, because of its high affinity for thiol compounds. Platinum (Pt), by contrast, holds up better electrochemically at extreme potentials and brings catalytic activity for hydrogen and oxygen reactions.
Silver (Ag) is the odd one out: its main strength is optical rather than chemical. It amplifies electromagnetic near-fields in the visible spectrum so strongly that it's become the standard substrate for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).
Vacuum Deposition & Substrate Quality
All arrandee™ products go through a tightly controlled PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) process. Evaporating the metal under high vacuum keeps organic residues out and gives layers of up to 99.999% purity.
As the substrate material, we use premium borosilicate glass (D263), chosen for its optical quality and thermal resilience. Below are our three standardized metal coatings: gold, silver, and platinum are the only metals we manufacture.
Guides & Resources
Not sure which substrate fits your experiment? Start here.
Self-Assembled Monolayers on Gold
Why atomically flat Au(111) gold gives you reproducible SAM formation with alkanethiols, and what to check for in a SAM-grade substrate.
Read the GuideGold Substrate Comparison
We compare gold-on-glass against gold on mica, Au(111) single crystal, and template-stripped gold on cost, flatness, and lead time.
Compare SubstratesGold vs. Silver vs. Platinum
Which metal fits your experiment? A practical guide to choosing between our three substrates for electrochemistry, SERS/SPR, SAMs, and catalysis.
Read the GuideElectrochemistry & Working Electrodes
Setting up a gold, silver, or platinum substrate as a working electrode? Here's how to contact it, clean it, and what electrochemical window to expect from each metal.
Read the Guide
