Chirumamilla, AnishaAnishaChirumamillaDing, FeiFeiDingKrishnamurthy, Gnanavel V.Gnanavel V.KrishnamurthyCai, ZiruZiruCaiKrekeler, TobiasTobiasKrekelerRitter, MartinMartinRitterStörmer, MichaelMichaelStörmerJensen, Lars R.Lars R.JensenNoergaard, JeppeJeppeNoergaardPopok, VladimirVladimirPopokKristensen, Peter K.Peter K.KristensenChirumamilla, ManoharManoharChirumamillaPedersen, KjeldKjeldPedersen2026-05-262026-05-262026-05-10ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces 18 (19): 28223-28233 (2026)https://hdl.handle.net/11420/63217Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) enables the detection of molecular signatures at extremely low concentrations, even down to a single molecule, by using plasmonic nanostructures that support localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs). Nonetheless, fabricating highly sensitive nanostructures typically requires complex, time-consuming, and costly fabrication processes with limited scalability. In this work, we present a simple and universally applicable single-step method to fabricate plasmonic nanocrystals (NCs) from metals, such as Al, Ag, and Au. These NCs are directly grown over large surface areas on various substrates through heat-assisted growth from e-beam or magnetron sputter depositions. The LSPRs of the NCs can be tailored by selecting the metal, nanocrystal size, and surface morphology. The heat-assisted growth strategy enables the formation of NC matrices capable of detecting analyte molecules at ultralow, down to zeptomolar, concentrations via SERS, particularly when using Ag NCs. This versatile, cost-effective fabrication approach opens new opportunities for large-area plasmonic platforms in sensing, photocatalysis, and optoelectronic applications.en1944-82522026192822328233ACSnanocrystalsplasmonicsRaman spectroscopySERSsingle step fabricationTechnology::620: Engineering::620.5: NanotechnologyTechnology::620: Engineering::620.1: Engineering Mechanics and Materials Science::620.11: Engineering MaterialsTechnology::620: EngineeringJournal Article10.1021/acsami.5c24001