Thin Layer Chromatography and Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Applications

Thin layer chromatography (TLC) coupled with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has emerged as a versatile platform for the separation and ultra-sensitive detection of trace analytes in complex matrices. TLC provides rapid, low-cost fractionation of mixtures on a planar stationary phase, while SERS delivers molecular fingerprint information with enhancement factors of several orders of magnitude. Their integration enables simultaneous separation, localisation and identification of multiple compounds without extensive sample preparation. Applications span environmental monitoring, food safety screening, pharmaceutical quality control and biomedical assays. Recent advances in substrate engineering—ranging from photonic-plasmonic hybrids to three-dimensional patterned nanostructures—have significantly improved sensitivity, reproducibility and on-site usability, paving the way for portable, high-throughput analytical devices in both laboratory and field settings.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A multifunctional three-dimensional silicon nanowire array decorated with silver nano-dendrites has been developed to perform ultra-thin layer chromatography and SERS on a single chip. The patterned substrate achieves targeted confinement of analyte zones and enhances Raman signals by over 15-fold compared with unpatterned films. This platform enables rapid screening and label-free detection of dye mixtures and model biomarkers, demonstrating broad potential for biochemical assays, food safety testing and environmental analysis.

Research from all publishers

A high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) interface combined with in situ gold-nanoparticle-infused cotton fabrics has been shown to detect the pesticide thiram in fruit juices. After HPTLC separation and elution, a handheld Raman spectrometer records characteristic peaks at 1,376 cm–1 with a limit of detection of 0.5 mg L–1. Validation in pear, apple and mango samples confirms recoveries between 75.6 % and 112.8 %, illustrating a facile point-of-care testing approach for pesticide residues.

Non-destructive SERS screening using copy paper loaded with silver nanoparticles has been applied to detect sodium metabisulfite residues on shrimp surfaces. Portable Raman measurements at 620 and 927 cm–1 achieve a sensitivity of 0.1 mg mL–1, corresponding to 0.31 mg kg–1 on shrimp. The method balances simplicity, selectivity and sensitivity, enabling in situ monitoring of prohibited additives in seafood.

An investigation of the coffee ring effect (CRE) in TLC-SERS has shed light on nanoparticle distribution patterns for hydrophobic glibenclamide and hydrophilic metformin. Single and double CRE modes were characterised, guiding optimisation of nanoparticle aggregation to maximise Raman enhancement. Application to commercial herbal products revealed multiple instances of anti-diabetic drug adulteration, demonstrating the value of CRE analysis for predicting and improving SERS sensitivity.

Thin Layer Chromatography and Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Applications publication trend

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

Technical terms

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC): A separation method employing a thin stationary phase on a plate to resolve components of a mixture by capillary action.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS): An analytical technique that amplifies Raman scattering signals of molecules adsorbed onto nanostructured metallic surfaces.

Stationary phase: The solid or liquid medium coated on a chromatography plate that interacts differentially with analytes to achieve separation.

Coffee ring effect (CRE): The ring-like deposition pattern formed when colloidal particles aggregate at the perimeter of a drying droplet, influencing nanoparticle arrangement.

Limit of detection (LOD): The lowest concentration of an analyte that can be reliably distinguished from a blank signal.

References

1. HPTLC + SRES screening of pesticide for point-of-care application as shown with thiram in juice. Food Chemistry X (2023).
2. Non-Destructive Screening of Sodium Metabisulfite Residue on Shrimp by SERS with Copy Paper Loaded with AgNP. Biosensors (2023).
3. Single versus Double Coffee-Ring Effect Patterns in Thin-Layer Chromatography Coupled with Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopic Analysis of Anti-Diabetic Drugs Adulterated in Herbal Products. Molecules (2023).
4. Rapid Biochemical Mixture Screening by Three-Dimensional Patterned Multifunctional Substrate with Ultra-Thin Layer Chromatography (UTLC) and Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS). Scientific Reports (2018).