Abstract
The SERS effect was initially discovered in the 1970s. Early research focused on understanding the phenomenon and increasing enhancement to achieve single molecule detection. From the mid-1980s to early 1990s, research started to move away from obtaining a fundamental understanding of the phenomenon to the exploration of analytical applications. At the same time, significant developments occurred in the field of photonics that led to the advent of inexpensive, robust, compact, field-deployable Raman systems. The 1990s also saw rapid development in nanoscience. This convergence of technologies (photonics and nanoscience) has led to accelerated development of SERS substrates to detect a wide range of chemical and biological analytes. It would be a monumental task to discuss all the different kinds of SERS substrates that have been explored. Likewise, it would be impossible to discuss the use of SERS for both chemical and biological detection. Instead, a review of the most common metallic (Ag, Cu, and Au) SERS substrates for chemical detection only is discussed, as well as SERS substrates that are commercially available. Other issues with SERS for chemical detection have been selectivity, reversibility, and reusability of the substrates. How these issues have been addressed is also discussed in this review.
Highlights
Like normal Raman spectroscopy, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an emission technique that involves inelastic scattering of incident laser energy resulting in spectral peaks, due to the vibrational modes of the molecule, that are frequency shifted from the incident energy
The atomized material removed from the target interacts with the species present in the liquid that leads to the nucleation, growth, and formation of nanoparticles
Optimum SERS activity was obtained for Ag and Au nanoparticles synthesized in water at a pH of 10.3
Summary
Like normal Raman spectroscopy, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an emission technique that involves inelastic scattering of incident laser energy resulting in spectral peaks, due to the vibrational modes of the molecule, that are frequency shifted from the incident energy. Upon adsorption onto the SERS surface, the Raman signal of the analyte is enhanced and the resultant signal intensity is comparable to that obtained by fluorescence. The sensitivity of SERS, as well as its exceptional spectral selectivity, has made SERS an attractive technique to detect a wide range of chemical species. Quantitative SERS measurements are best with a standard to monitor any changes due to substrate changes In this communication, the types of SERS substrates typically used to detect chemical species are discussed. The means by which researchers have addressed the issues of selectivity and reversibility of the SERS substrates are discussed as well as quantifying the amount of a chemical species present in a sample
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