A simple and fast self-assembly method (within 1 hour) for fabrication of large-scale silver nanoparticle arrays by using ascorbic acid (Vc) as an active reagent was reported. The effect of Vc and deposition time on the performance of these arrays as SERS-active substrates was systematically studied and the highest enhancement factor (EF) for rhodamine 6G (R6G) was as large as 3.65 × 108 under 532 nm excitation.
