Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering in Nanoparticle Applications

Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) harnesses the amplification of inelastic light scattering by molecules adsorbed on or near metallic nanostructures. This enhancement arises primarily from localized surface plasmon resonances that concentrate electromagnetic fields in nanoscale gaps or “hot spots,” supplemented by charge-transfer interactions between adsorbate and substrate. Control of nanoparticle composition, size, shape and assembly enables tuning of enhancement factors, spectral reproducibility and target specificity. In recent years, core–shell architectures, bimetallic alloys and metasurface arrays have advanced sensitivity to the single-molecule level while addressing challenges of quantification and uniformity. SERS platforms now span chemical sensing, biomedical diagnostics, environmental monitoring and catalysis. Integration with machine learning, microfluidics and portable instrumentation promises real-time, multiplexed analyses in clinical and field settings. Ongoing efforts focus on improving reproducibility, standardising substrate fabrication and extending operando measurements to complex biological and catalytic environments.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Innovative approaches have diversified SERS fingerprinting by modulating surface chemistry. An artificial-nose inspired array of plasmonic sensors functionalised with different self-assembled monolayers generates high-dimensional spectral data, markedly improving discrimination of complex biological samples. A complementary strategy employs vertically aligned nanopillar arrays decorated with Raman reporters to enable digital counting of individual cytokine molecules. This platform achieves attomolar sensitivity and has been applied to longitudinal monitoring of immune-related toxicities in patients undergoing checkpoint-inhibitor therapy. Together, these studies illustrate the potential of advanced nanofabrication and surface engineering to enhance both qualitative and quantitative capabilities of SERS in biomedical applications.

Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering in Nanoparticle Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in surface-enhanced raman scattering in nanoparticle applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS): A technique that amplifies Raman signals of molecules located near plasmonic nanostructures.

Localised Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR): Collective oscillation of conduction electrons in metallic nanoparticles induced by incident light, leading to strong local field enhancement.

Self-Assembled Monolayer (SAM): A single layer of ordered molecules chemically bound to a surface, used to tune surface properties and selectivity.

Core–Shell Nanostructure: A nanoparticle design in which one material (core) is encapsulated by another (shell), enabling tailored plasmonic and chemical properties.

Plasmonic Metasurface: A two-dimensional array of subwavelength resonators engineered to control both electric and magnetic field enhancements for optical spectroscopy.

Enhancement Factor: A measure of Raman signal amplification provided by a SERS substrate, defined as the ratio of SERS intensity to normal Raman intensity under equivalent conditions.

References

1. Surface enhanced Raman scattering artificial nose for high dimensionality fingerprinting. Nature Communications (2020).
2. A digital single-molecule nanopillar SERS platform for predicting and monitoring immune toxicities in immunotherapy. Nature Communications (2021).
3. Early cancer detection by serum biomolecular fingerprinting spectroscopy with machine learning. eLight (2023).
4. Recent advances of Au@Ag core–shell SERS‐based biosensors. Exploration (2023).
5. Multiplexed SERS Detection of Serum Cardiac Markers Using Plasmonic Metasurfaces. Advanced Science (2024).
6. Towards Reliable and Quantitative Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS): From Key Parameters to Good Analytical Practice. Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2020).